The Muses Restor’d

Renowned Baroque violinist Rachel Podger joins forces with acclaimed ensemble Brecon Baroque to perform The Muses Restor’d: a journey of captivating violin-led chamber music from the early 1600s to the mid-18th century. Taking the resurgence of the Arts in England post-1660 as its inspiration, this programme presents music by Handel, Lawes, Purcell, Locke, Barsanti, Blow and Geminiani and their distinguished contemporaries. Ranging from the gentle intimacy of consort idioms to the full-blown instrumental virtuosity of the evolving Baroque period, this album uncovers little known glories of English instrumental music and its influences.

Rachel Podger has established herself as a leading interpreter of the Baroque. In this latest programme with Brecon Baroque, an international line-up of world-class virtuosi in the period-instrument world, The Muses Restor’d is a journey of captivating violin-led chamber music. From the gentle intimacy of consort idioms to the full-blown instrumental virtuosity of the evolving Baroque period, this beautifully refined and intimately chiselled chamber music celebrates a rich tradition.

Programme:
Purcell Sonata in G minor Z780
Matthew Locke Little Consort in two parts For Severall Friends in C minor-major
John Blow Ground in G minor
Handel Sonata in D major HWV 371
Johann Schop Lachrimae Pavaen
Richard Jones Chamber Air No 4 in A minor Op 2
Francesco Barsanti ‘Lochaber’ from A Collection of Old Scots Tunes, 1742
Purcell Lilli Bullero (Purcell) Z 646
James Oswald Alloway House from A Curious Collection of Scots Tunes (1740s)
Francesco Geminiani Airs for a violin or German flute, violin cello and harpsichord from A Treatise of Good Taste in the Art of Musick, 1749

Performers:
Rachel Podger violin
Mélisande Corriveau cello and viola da gamba
Toby Carr theorbo
Marcin Świątkiewicz harpsichord and organ