Beschreibung
William Byrd's motet "Ave verum corpus" performed by soprano Molly Netter with Elizabethan viols.
Elizabethan viols Voices of Music is developing programs for two consorts of viols, one from the Elizabethan period and earlier (in this video), as well as an early renaissance consort from around the year 1500 to perform works published by Petrucci, the first music publisher, and his contemporaries.
The renaissance Elizabethan viols are primarily based on the work of John Rose, who was famous by the 1550s for his “vyalls” and other instruments. Although these instruments were from the middle of the century, only the later instruments survive, and it is not known if Rose’s style changed over the years, so these instruments either reflect the practice as early as the 1550s or, more likely, as late as the 1590s, although the changes may have been minor over the years. Notably, the design of the Amati violins from roughly the same time period changed very little. The Rose workshop parallels Elizabeth’s reign as queen, and so these instruments are an excellent choice for this repertory.
The English court imported a great many Italian instruments beginning with the reign of Henry VIII, but the Rose instruments were considered preeminent for the viols, even as the lutes and recorders were mainly sourced from Italy and Germany. For the renaissance ideal, the consort was conceived of as a matched set, and all the instruments played tonight were made by one builder, Wesley Brandt, using similar patterns, techniques and timbers based closely on historical models. The close matching gives the ensemble a unique sound and is essential for consort music.
Entrenched in a multitude of styles from an early age, Canadian-American soprano Molly Netter enlivens complex and beautiful music both old and new. Noted for her “natural warmth” (LA Times) and “clear, beautiful tone” (NY Times), Molly’s voice can be heard on five Grammy nominated albums since 2017.
Musicians (center, left to right)
Molly Netter, soprano
Wendy Gillespie, Elisabeth Reed & Farley Pearce
Elizabethan viols
Text
Ave verum corpus, natum
de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine
cuius latus perforatum
fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis prægustatum
in mortis examine.
O Iesu dulcis, O Iesu pie,
O Iesu, fili Mariae.
Miserere mei. Amen.
Hail, true body, born
of the Virgin Mary,
truly suffered and sacrificed
on the cross for all,
from whose pierced side
flowed water and blood:
Be for us a foretaste
in the ordeal of death.
O sweet Jesus, O holy Jesus,
O Jesus, son of Mary,
have mercy on me. Amen.
#queenelizabeth
8K Video: Lloyd Hryciw and Rob Clevenger
Audio Engineer: David Tayler
Post Production: David Tayler and Andrew Levy
Produced by David Tayler & Hanneke van Proosdij
Audio mastering, video cutting and final 8K color and render: David Tayler
Special thanks to Margaret Cohen.