I have just added a new page dedicated to Stanley’s Songs and Cantatas.
This includes what I believe is the first ever recording of a selection of them.
Please let me know what you think of these works. Many thanks.
There is an exciting new CD release on the Chandos label from the acclaimed harpsichordist Sophie Yates. It represents a survey of harpsichord music throughout the eighteenth century as represented by, amongst others, William Croft, Richard Jones, Thomas Arne and J.C.Bach
On the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens page, I have added the text of three letters written in 1739 from S.Toupee to The Scots Magazine.
The letters tell in wonderful fine detail how an evening there was passed, with details of how folks travelled there, what they ate and drank when they got there and even who looked after their dogs whilst they enjoyed the music! The letters bring to life this classic Eighteenth Century night out.
There is a new recording out of Greene’s Overtures. Performed by Baroque Band, it is on the Cedille Records label.
There is at now a recording available of Michael Festings violin sonatas. It is by Brandywine Baroque and is on the Plectra label.
There is a new recording out of Daniel Purcell’s The Judgment of Paris.
This is the first recording of this work which was first performed at Dorset Gardens in London in the spring of 1701. Having been ignored for over 300 years, it is wonderful to be able to hear this treasure from Britain’s cultural past.
It is available from:
http://www.spiritato.co.uk/recordings/
During the spring of this year the BBC put out a three part series called Rule Britannia! devoted to music in Georgian Britain. It seems incredible that the makers of such a programme could put it together without a mention of William Boyce, John Stanley or Thomas Linley. This could not have been accidental.
I have added a John Ranish page. He left us with 20 wonderful flute sonatas. Both he and they deserve to be better known.
On Saturday 16th March 2013 at 7.30pm there will be a concert performance of Maurice Greene’s neglected pastoral opera Phoebe at:
Highlands Methodist Church
Sutherland Boulevard
Leigh-on-Sea
Essex SS9 3PT
More details: http://www.southendchambermusic.co.uk/
I have added Richard Jones to the composer pages. Unfortunately the page is brief as so little is known about him!
Please let me know if you know of anything else.
There have recently been two wonderful CD releases of his Harpsichord Lessons and Chamber Airs for Violin and harpsichord.