Office of the Arts, Joint Concert program, 2010-11-07

Program Notes One of Henry Purcell's contemporaries, Thomas Tudway, described the composer after his early death in 1695 as "...the greatest genius we ever had." More than three hundred years later, Purcell is still regarded as one of Britain's finest composers. As the son of a musician at Court, a chorister at the Chapel Royal, and the holder of continuing royal appointments until his death, Purcell worked in Westminster for three different kings over twenty-five years. "Come, Sons of Art" was the final birthday ode Purcell composed for Queen Mary; by the end of 1695 both she and Purcell had passed away. The text is by Nahum Tate, an Irishman who became England's poet laureate in 1692. The piece has eight movements, plus an opening symphony consisting of three short movements; a majestic Largo (slow), a spritely Allegro (fast) and a lush Adagio (slow). The ensuing chorus is based on the words, "Come, Ye sons of Art," and serves as an introduction to the poetic text. "Sound the Trumpet" is a striking duet for two voices, here sung by the soprano and alto sections of the chorus. The melody dances over an ostinato bass line (a short, recurring melodic pattern) as the singers imitate the sound of trumpets. A reprise of the opening chorus is heard before the next solo, "Strike the Viol," here sung by the alto section, with an instrumental ritornello (a short musical passage used as an orchestral refrain between verses of a song or aria). A baritone solo follows with the chorus, "The Day that Such a Blessing Gave." It is a prayer that this day be a day of jubilee and rejoicing. "Bid the Virtues" is a fanciful soprano solo with flute obbligato, with a subsequent baritone solo over called, "These are the Sacred Charms that Shield." A soprano and bass duet comprises the main body of the final movement, with a choral ritornello. When the chorus enters to restate the final verse, it is accompanied by the entire ensemble of instruments, which emphasizes the joyful mood. ~ Program notes edited from Rita Laurance and Sandra Tuppen.