"Out of the Deep"

Music for a Virtuoso Bass

Saturday 22 April 1989, 8pm

St Andrews on the Terrace
The Terrace
Wellington

Richard Wistreich with The Tudor Consort

More than any other, the Bass voice was singled out for special treatment by the English composers of the 17th century. Dramatic sections of the text were often reserved for a bass soloist, who was required by the music to possess a remarkably wide vocal range. The outstanding quality of this music is itself evidence of the importance composers attached to their music for bass soloist and chorus. This programme includes some of the most spectacular examples of the bass verse anthem - works by Tomkins and Wise, as well as three of the pieces Purcell wrote for the famous Chapel Royal singer John Gostling. In addition, The Tudor Consort will also sing four of the finest full choir anthems of the Restoration period - pieces by Locke, Blow, Purcell and Thomas Tomkins, whose elaborate 12-part masterpiece O Praise the Lord will be receiving its first New Zealand performance.

Programme

Sing unto God: Thomas Tomkins
O Praise the Lord: Thomas Tomkins

A Sad Paven: for these Distracted Tymes: Thomas Tomkins

Praise the Lord: Walter Porter
The Ways of Zion do Mourn: Michael Wise
Turn Thy Face from My Sins: Matthew Locke

Interval

Begin the Song: Henry Purcell
Salvator Mundi: John Blow

Jehova quam multi sunt hostes mei: Henry Purcell

Out of the Deep: Henry Purcell
Sing unto God: Henry Purcell

Bass Richard Wistreich

English bass Richard Wistreich has developed his voice for the particular requirements of music written before 1800. This means combining the depth of a true profundo with a lightness and agility across a two and a half octave range. His work has been with many of the leading musicians and ensembles in the field, including the Consort of Musicke, The Taverner Consort, The Early Opera Project and groups elsewhere in Europe and the USA. He has more than 30 recordings to his credit, and has been particularly commended for the richness of his voice, his virtuosity and his attention to verbal declamation.

During 1988 Richard Wistreich recorded Monteverdi and Purcell for EMI, sang the role of Seneca in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea on London's South Bank, and gave recitals in Ireland, the Netherlands, France and the Soviet Union. Later in 1988 he will revisit the USA and record Beethoven's Choral Fantasia with Roger Norrington.

Organ Douglas Mews
Viol Robert Oliver