SOME PIECES BY ROBERT CARRINGTON

Mr Culpeper... his praeludium

       In the Winter and Spring of 2000, I created a whole cycle of pieces based on "Culpeper's Complete Herbal", first published in 1652. I was struck by Nicholas Culpeper's literary style which seemed to make an interesting text for vocal and choral settings of the remedies he prescribed. Eleven short pieces resulted, but they needed instrumental links to separate the texts. The cycle began with this piece. It is scored for 2 recorders, tenor viol, bass viol and cello. The instrumentation was dictated by performers of the Pastores Ensemble. The recording is its premiere at the Brighton Festival on May 10th, 2000.

MP3 file

Culpeper's Pavane

        Having created an opening piece, I next wanted to include a dance movement. I found that Culpeper knew and played the music of John Dowland, so I decided on a Pavan and Galliard for viol consort. The sadness of a tragic love affair from the early days of Culpeper's life gave me a biographical reference. The Galliard (based on "Awake sweet love") is not included. The piece is performed by the Pastores Viol Consort at the Brighton Festival in May 2000.

MP3 file

Suite for Bass Viol

        Many of my pieces make use of Early Instruments. This is because the Pastores Ensemble presents concerts that combine the two styles.
        The Suite for Bass, Viola da Gamba is in three movements: PRELUDE, LULLABY, CANZONA.
        The six-stringed English Bass Viol is fretted like a guitar with gut strings, but bowed and usually played without vibrato. It has a rich tone and a wide register of notes.
        The Prelude is an abstract piece, using different note patterns to create a long flowing melody. The Lullaby was written to celebrate the birth of the performer's niece and the rocking rhythm is designed to soothe and comfort the new baby... with a pizzicato ending.
        The Suite ends with a typical Canzona rhythm and takes the viol back to 17th century Italy.
        The recording is its premiere on May 24th, 2000 at the Brighton Festival. The performer is Paul Neville.

MP3 file

Notes by Robert Carrington