Shall I go walk the wood so wild, wandering, wandering, here and there.

This refrain comes from a popular Tudor song, said to be one of Henry VIII's favourites, that forms the foundation of William Byrd's "The Woods so Wild." Throughout history, forests have been seen as places of enchantment, folklore, savagery, and shelter, inspiring artists for centuries.

Once regarded as mighty protectors, we now find trees needing our protection. As we continue to find inspiration and comfort in their presence, we pay homage with our Enchanted Forest Playlist. We have selected pieces which offer space to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life, and also the wonder and joy of the woods. Listen to the playlist tracks below or on Spotify.

William Byrd: The Woods so Wild

Le Tendre Amour

Byrd wrote a set of variations on this Tudor-era folk tune 'Will yow walke the woods soe wylde', believed to have been a favourite of Henry VIII.

Claudio Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale, È questa vita un lampo

The Sixteen

'The moral and spiritual forest' was Monteverdi's most substantial and important anthology of liturgical works since the Vespers in 1610.

This life is a flash of lightning which disappears as it appears in this mortal existence. For, if I look at the past, it is already dead; the future not yet born, and the present has disappeared before having really appeared. Ah, fleeting flash of lightning, you attract me, yet after the lightning comes the thunderbolt.

William Croft: Ground in C Minor (attr. H. Purcell)

Andreas Küppers

Maddalena Casulana: O notte, o cielo

Fieri Consort

Oh night, oh sky, oh sea, oh shores, oh mountains,
you that so often hear me wish that I were dead,
oh valleys, oh forests, oh woods, oh rivers, oh springs,
you that have been loyal companions to me during my life,
you agile beasts that wander contentedly through the woods and fields,
you who have heard me complain before,
hearken to my sad laments.

You can read more about the whole album in an essay on Continuo Connect here.

Georg Frideric Handel: Forest Music

Bridget Cunningham

'This intriguing keyboard arrangement is entitled Handel’s Forest Music and is from a 19th century manuscript housed at the Royal College of Music, London, which contains keyboard pieces, psalms, concerti and choral works. The arranger of this version is unknown and the provenance linking it to Handel is unconfirmed.' (Bridget Cunnigham)

Wolfgang A Mozart: Dans un bois solitaire, K 308

Sabine Devieilhe, Ensemble Pygmalion

In a lonely and sombre forest I walked the other day. A child slept in the shade,
It was the formidable Cupid. ...

Francesco Geminiani: La foresta incantata, Allegro moderato

Orchestra Barocca Italiana

Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Sans frayeur dans ce bois

Lea Desandre, Myriam Rignol, Thomas Dunford, Jean Rondeau

Without fear and on my own I made my way into this grove. I spied Tircis there, but I am not moved. Ah, shouldn’t I be taking care? How I pity a young, unfeeling heart! I am not seeking out trouble, but at least I should fear it.

Francesco Geminiani: La foresta incantata, Andante spiritoso-Adagio

Orchestra Barocca Italiana

JS Bach: Jagen ist die Lust der Götter, Cantata BWV 208

Monika Frimmer, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Hunting is the joy of the gods, hunting is for heroes! Make way, you scoffers of my nymphs, retreat from Diana's path.

Henry Purcell: Hornpipe in G Minor

Arcangelo

Georg Frideric Handel: Ombra mai fu (Serse)

Elin Manahan Thomas, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Never was a shade of any plant dearer and more lovely, or more sweet.

JS Bach: Nun ruhen alle Wälder, BWV 392

Vocalconsort Berlin

Now all the woods are sleeping,
And night and stillness creeping
O'er city, man, and beast;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To pray'r awhile betake thee,
And praise thy Maker ere thou rest