Musical rebels existed in the 17th century too! Behind the gates of Whitehall Palace – the residence of the Tudors and early Stuarts – William Lawes composed consort music that defied every convention. His magnificent ‘consort sets’ astonish with capricious twists and unexpected harmonies that continually mislead the listener. Hathor Consort tackles his most daring scores for six viols and organ: a fascinating voyage of discovery through a plethora of textures. At this première of the programme, the ensemble will also present its brand-new set of viols: a grandiose creation by the master instrument maker Bram Peters, who promises an exceptionally rich and homogeneous sound. This is a rare change to hear Lawes’ experiment in a version that the composer himself would have recognised – exciting, intimate and revolutionary.
Program
W. Lawes: Consort Set for 6 in F major | Consort Set for 6 in G minor | Consort Set for 6 in C major | Consort Set for 6 in C minor | Consort Set for 6 in Bb minor
Performers
Liam Fennelly, descant viol | Thomas Baeté, tenor viol | Joshua Cheatham, tenor viol | Irene Klein, consort bass viol | Nick Milne, consort bass viol | Bart Jacobs, consort organ | Romina Lischka, descant viol & artistic leader