This episode: English baroque music
London was one of the most important musical centers in Europe from the last decades of the 17th century until the beginning of the 19th century. Operas were performed, public concerts were given– lots of things were happening, the place to be for composers and musicians, attracting not only British composers. Händel and Geminiani are two very well-known composers from that period, but there were many musicians then actively involved in the music scene, that nowadays are fairly unknown. We will listen to some of them in today’s programme.
For instance, Mrs. Philarmonica, of whom we know next to nothing. Whoever was behind that name, still remains a mystery.
The family Loeillet were renowned instrumentalists and composers from the Low Countries, and one of them, called Jean Baptiste, settled in London in 1705. He later called himself John Loeillet of London (to distinguish himself from other Jean Baptistes in his family).
James Oswald, of Scottish decent, arranged traditional Scottish songs, which were very popular mid-18th century. He published a volume of sonatas about the four seasons. Each sonata is named after a flower that is associated with that season.
Finally, a Dutch composer: Pieter Hellendaal. He was born in Rotterdam and, after his studies with Giuseppe Tartini, went to London and then to Cambridge.
Mrs Philarmonica (active ca. 1715)
1. Sonata III in g minor
2. Sonata VI in G major
Le Consort
(CD: “Philarmonica” – Alpha 1011, 2023)
Jean Baptiste ‘John’ Loeillet (1680-1730)
3. Suite no. 4 in D major [1723]
Jan Devlieger, harpsichord
(CD: “Six Suites for Harpsichord” – Phaedra PH 92099, 2018)
James Oswald (1710-1769)
4. Airs for the 4 Seasons:
‘Winter’ (selection: Stock Gilli Flower, Heart’s Ease, Persian Iris, Snowdrop)
Rezonance Baroque Ensemble
(CD: “Airs for the Seasons” – Leaf Music LM266, 2023)
Pieter Hellendaal (1721-1799)
5. Grand Concerto in D minor, op. 3,2
La Sfera Armoniosa conducted by Mike Fentross
(CD: “Six Grand Concertos Op. 3” – Challenge Classics CC72911, 2022)
In addition:
Mrs Philarmonica
6. From Sonata V in C minor: allegro
Le Consort
(CD: see 1-2)
Image: London, mid-18th century (Wikipedia)
