Si le parler et le Silence

This programm highlights the repertoire of the early 17th century for voice, lute and viol, in England and France, gravitating around the works of Pierre Guédron, composer at the court of Henry IV and Louis XIII. He wrote four and five voice vocal pieces destined to be sung during the Ballets de cour, elaborated and fastuous performances given at the court, which later developed into the Comédie-Ballet. Guédron's compositions were also largely published in books of songs in which they were arranged and reduced for one voice and lute. In these new arrangements the songs can also be sung in the intimate and private setting of a salon or a chamber. These arrangements are also found in England: 18 of his airs were translated to English and published in 1629 in a book entitled French Court Aires with their ditties Englished. This concert builds a bridge between the French airs de cour and English songs for voice, lute and viol which flourished in England during the same period, showcasing compositions by Pierre Guédron, Antoine Boësset or Robert Ballard, and their contemporaries from the other side of the English Channel: John Dowland and Tobias Hume.

PIERRE GUÉDRON

Si le parler et le silence, from the Airs de cour et de différents auteurs

ANONYME

2ème Entrée à 5, from the Ballet des Fées des forêts de Saint-Germain

PIERRE GUÉDRON

Arme-toi ma raison, from the Airs de cour et de différents auteurs

TOBIAS HUME

Life

Fain would I that get that note, from The First part of Ayres (Musicall Humors)

JOHN DOWLAND

Praeludium

ANONYME

Oh dear life, from A Musicall Banquet

TOBIAS HUME

Death

Tobacco, from The First part of Ayres (Musicall Humors)

JOHN DOWLAND

Away with these self loving lads, from The First Booke of Songs or Ayres

TOBIAS HUME

Good again, from The First part of Ayres (Musicall Humors)

PIERRE GUÉDRON

Know my dear idol Cloris, from French Court Aires with their ditties Englished

ANONYME

Ballet des Demy-Fous, IXème Entrée à 5 from the Fées des forêts de Saint-Germain

ANTOINE BOËSSET

Fut-il jamais, from the Airs de cour à 4 & 5 parties, Livre III

ANONYME

Seconde entrée, from the Premier Livre de luth par R. Ballard

PIERRE GUÉDRON

With what wings can I fly from disease, from the French Court Aires with their ditties Englished

ANONYME

Dixième courante, from the Divers Pièces mises sur le luth par R. Ballard

PIERRE GUÉDRON

If Key of Speech or Locke of silence, from the French Court Aires with their ditties Englished

2 musicians, 60min.