This second volume of Martin Peerson's complete works contains the twenty-four songs published in 1620 in the collection Private Musicke or the First Booke of Ayres and Dialogues. Fourteen songs (including Upon my lap my soveraigne sits, Peerson's only work well known today) are in four parts; eight are in five; and two (including an ambitious setting of Ben Jonson's poem See, O see who is heere come a-maying composed for the royal May-day celebrations in 1604) are in six. Mingling pieces in a thoroughly madrigalian all-vocal style with others that require instrumental participation (ideally a consort of viols, or a keyboard instrument or a lute, or even a solo bass viol), the collection illustrates the variety of English song during the reign of James I. Also included are six songs from manuscript sources: four three-part arrangements of songs from Private Musicke and two others that may be by Peerson. For various combinations of treble, alto, tenor and bass voices, plus instruments. Score xvi + 64 pages GBP 11.00. Instrumental parts for viols GBP 14.00. Add prices of score and parts together if ordering both. |
