Henry Du Mont - Suite for Harpsichord; Pavanne - Courante - Allemande Gregory Hamilton, Harpsichord.

Suite for Harpsichord - Pavanne, Courante, Allemande; Henry Dumont (1610 - 1684)
This suite has been compiled from the only source for Dumont’s keyboard music, the Bauyn Manuscript containing only-8 extant keyboard pieces remain. It is quite possible that these works may be transcriptions of viol music, they have similarities to the close counterpoint and compact range of viol repertoire of the mid-17th century. Dumont was a muli - talented instrumentalist, including holding important positions as organist, and as evidence of his compositions for viols, probably was a viol player. These works have a sustained somber Grave character common to both organ and viol music, and one of his publications, the Meslanges à II, III, IV & V parties avec le Bassecontinue contenant plusieurs chansons, motets, magnificats, Préludes et allemandes pour orgue et pour les viols, specifies the organ as Basso Continuo. Dumont is one of the unrecognized masters of the early baroque, and many of his greatest works are still needing to be brought out in performance.
Art by Willem van Aelst (16 May 1627 - buried 22 May 1683)
The Still life works by Van Aelst are not always what they seem. Quite beautiful in appearance, they strike the casual viewer as pretty scenes, like a pleasant postcard arrangement of flowers in a domestic setting. However, a second, closer look reveals that there is much symbolism, of spring, fall, winter, of death and resurrection, and the contemporary viewer would have understood the allusions by the objects and flora in the scenes. As well, they are artificial constructions, as the painter felt free to arrange any meaningful combination of objects to create the meaning he wanted. Indeed, these beautiful swatches of colorful flora are always painted in chiaroscuro relief - the colorful foreground emanates form a somber darkness that is the background of all the paintings.
Harpsichord Burton 1980, rebuilt, 2017 Gregory Hamilton -tuning ¼ comma Meantone
Recorded Holy Trinity Seminary December 18th 2019.