Myths & Legends of Classical Antiquity

Canzona

Theresa Caudle violin
Mark Caudle viola da gamba
Alastair Ross harpsichord

with
Stuart O’Hara bass-baritone

The tales and heroes of antiquity are the themes of the miniature dramas of the Cantates of Clérambault and Rameau from the beginning of the 18^th century. The range of emotions that the bass voice is given to express in these works is extraordinary.

Stuart O’ Hara accompanied by the instruments of Canzona will sing of how Orithie was abducted by the violent Aquilon (alias Boreas or the North Wind) and how Thétis, the mother of Achilles was courted by Jupiter and Neptune, who deploy thunder and the raging seas in their battle over her. In the last days of Louis XIV, Clérambault created a cantata for him about Hercules, long a model for the noble ruler, but here poisoned and reflecting on the consequences of his life decisions. Even Marais and his basse de viole venture with Theseus into the Labyrinth through twisting passages of strange tonality to kill the Minotaur and celebrate with a grand chaconne.

Leclair, master dancer and choreographer and the greatest violinist and composer for his instrument in 18^th century France also ends his virtuoso violin work with a magnificent chaconne and Rameau, later in life and now in the course of composing his great operas, returns to the harpsichord and creates music to exhibit all the virtuoso and expressive possibilities of his instrument, but now complimented and partnered by the violin and viol in the newest and most fashionable manner.