Songs for these distracted times

Curated by Christopher Bucknall, this programme turns to music born out of one of England's most turbulent chapters. In the upheaval of the Civil War, composers and poets found in song, for voices and instruments, a means of reflection, solace, and escape. Their music speaks with a remarkable intimacy across the centuries.

Programme:
William Lawes Suite for Violin, Bass Violin and Organ in A minor
Henry Lawes I Rise and Grieve
Henry Lawes Slide Soft you silver floods
Tomkins A Sad Pavan for these distracted times
Robert Johnson Pavan in C minor
Henry Lawes Sweet Stay a While
Tobias Hume Suite for Bass Viol
Thomas Baltzar Variations on John Come Kiss
Nicholas Lanier No more shall meads be decked with flowers
Matthew Locke and Christopher Gibbons Suite from Cupid and Death

Performers:
Gwilym Bowen tenor
Liz McCarthy violin
Suzanne Heinrich viol
Toby Carr lute
Christopher Bucknall organ, harpsichord