Humfrey@350

Join Instruments of Time & Truth and Edward Higginbottom at University Church of St Mary the Virgin as we celebrate the 350th anniversary of the death of Pelham Humfrey and his relationship with the wider community of musicians of his time. Featuring works by Humfrey, his mentor Matthew Locke and his pupil Henry Purcell. In the case of Locke, his suites for broken consort; in the case of Purcell, his glorious symphony anthem Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. This music provides a sounding board for Humfrey’s work. The suites of Locke give us an idea of the instrumental idioms rooted in the English tradition, but not without traces of French influence. Purcell’s anthem shows us the potential that lay in Humfrey’s church music: clearly the path that Humphrey trod was crucial in establishing the framework for Purcell’s extraordinary accomplishment in the field.

Humfrey, The King shall rejoice
Locke, Voluntary in F
Humfrey, By the Waters of Babylon
Locke, Suite for Broken Consort in C & Voluntary in a
Humfrey, Hear my crying & O Lord my God
Locke, Suite for Broken Consort in D
Humfrey, Hear my prayer
Purcell, Voluntary in G & Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem