Shadows, Not substantial things: Music in the works of James Shirley (1596-1666)
Shadows, Not Substantial Things: Music in the works of James Shirley (1596-1666)

This CD features the music from the plays, poems and entertainments of the 17th Century dramatist James Shirley (1596-1666) and showcases the music performed in indoor Jacobean and Caroline theatres in the era following Shakespeare with a varied repertoire of vocal and instrumental music, including tavern drinking catches, pastoral songs and dialogues & music from the masques.

Very little of the music on this CD has been recorded previously.

Tracks Include: Anon: Would you know what’s soft; Cupid calls; Ballads: Turn again Whittington; When cannons are roaring; With a Fading; Thomas Brewer: Turn Amarillis to thy swain; Edward Coleman: The glories of our birth and state; John Hilton: There was an invisible fox; Turn Amarillis to thy swain; Robert Johnson: Have you seen but a white lily grow; Henry Lawes: Would you know what’s soft; William Lawes: Come my Daphne come away; What should my mistress do with hair; Come let us cast the dice; Good morrow unto her; Hark, hark how in every grove; I would the god of love would die; O think not Phoebe Masques: William Lawes, Simon Ives and Davis Mell: Music from The Triumph of Peace. William Lawes: ‘Cease warring thoughts’ from The Triumph of Beauty; Christopher Gibbons: ‘Open blest Elizium grove’ from Cupid and Death Solo instrumental arrangements for lyra viol, guitar, violin and bagpipes.

The music for this CD was researched by Dr. Andrew Ashbee and this CD is linked to the UK AHRC funded 10 volume edition of “The Complete Works of James Shirley” [Oxford University Press: to be published in 2016].

Production of this CD is supported by the Arts Council of England

Recorded in St. John's Wood Parish Church, 20-22 October 2014