Simpson: The Monthes

Simpson: The Monthes

Sonnerie
Virgin Veritas 45281

Contents:

1. January in C
2. February in C
3. March in C
4. Ground in A minor
5. April in A minor
6. May in A minor
7. June in A
8. Pavan in D
9. Almaine in D
10. Courante in D
11. July in D minor
12. August in G minor
13. September in G minor
14. Ground in Bb
15. October in F
16. November in F
17. December in D

Performers: Monica Huggett (violin), Emilia Benjamin (violin), Sarah Cunningham (viol), Gary Cooper (organ)

Playing time: 60'

Recording date: November 1996 (Chesterton)

Christopher Simpson (c.1605-1669) is perhaps best known for his treatises on music theory and viol playing, especially improvising divisions, but his other unpublished compositions have been relatively neglected. The Monthes (c.1669), which also have a companion set called The Seasons, are a series of twelve fantasias for two trebles and bass part, including a real continuo. They are apparently the first such works in England. The style is a composite of such innovative elements as continuo and the programmatic titles with more old-fashioned compositional idioms.

Other recordings devoted to this and similar music:

Simpson: The Seasons, The Months, Divisions on a Ground

Watillon, Heumann, Franklin, Spaeter, Guglielmi, et al.
Alpha 088

Simpson: The 4 Seasons

Les Voix Humaines
Atma 22182

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