Discord to Harmony

The Renaissance saw Europe regularly convulsed by war, as neighbours and rivals jostled for territory and power, Catholics and Protestants clashed over religious principles, and Christian nations contended with the threat of the Ottoman Turks.

But it was also a time of great alliances, when peace treaties were celebrated with lavish diplomatic displays, and hostile nations were bound together through dynastic marriages. This fascinating programme explores the responses of composers to these turbulent times, drawing on almost two centuries of music from Dufay to Schütz. Along the way we experience the sounds of battle in Jannequin’s remarkable chanson La guerre, encounter plangent laments for fallen cities and lost generations, and savour serene motets welcoming longed-for peace.

Programme:
Anon L’homme armé
Hans Leo Hassler Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Robert Parsons Deliver me from mine enemies
Thomas Tomkins O God, the proud are risen against me
Richard Dering Factum est silentium
Clément Janequin La guerre
Bernardino de Ribera Rex autem David
Guillaume Du Fay Lamentationes
Robert Ramsey How are the mighty fallen
Anon The Agincourt Carol
Fernando de las Infantas Congregati sunt inimici nostri
Sulpitia Cesis Cantemus Domino
Loyset Compère Quis numerare queat
Heinrich Schütz Verleih uns Frieden genädiglich
Cristóbal de Morales Jubilate Deo
Tomás Luis de Victoria Missa pro victoria: Agnus Dei
Cipriano de Rore Da pacem
Tomás Luis de Victoria Laetatus sum