George Jeffreys & the Birth of the English Baroque

A fascinating programme of discovery and connection. George Jeffreys (c.1610–1685) lived between the great composers William Byrd and Henry Purcell, navigating the upheavals of the English Civil War. Organist to Charles I, he immersed himself in Italian madrigals, blending their expressiveness with Anglican intensity. His contemporary William Lawes can lay a claim to writing the earliest known chamber music, profoundly influencing the next generations of composers, including Purcell himself, through his bold and elaborate style.

Programme:
Byrd O Lord, turn Thy wrath away from us
Jeffreys How wretched is the state you are all in; Felice Pastorella; A Music Strange
Lawes Royal Consort, Sett 4: Pavan
Jeffreys O quam jucundum; Heu, me miseram!; In the midst of life; Whisper it easily
Purcell Trio Sonata No 1 in G minor Z 790]

This performance will start with an introduction to Bath Bachfest's new Artistic Director, Adrian Brendel, followed by a discussion about the performance with Solomon’s Knot Artistic Director, Jonathan Sells and the writer/director Federay Holmes.