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Music in the Time of Vermeer: Audio Files

audio files

Musicians in an Interior (detail) Leonaert Bramer
Musicians in an Interior (detail)
Leonaert Bramer
c. 1660
37.2 x 46.3 cm.,
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

To truly appreciate the role of music in Vermeer's paintings, it is essential to delve beyond the surface-level iconographic meanings, as intriguing as they are. A comprehensive understanding requires familiarity with the musical environment of Vermeer's era, including the instruments featured in his works, their historical context, playing techniques, and the unique sounds they produce. Additionally, knowledge of the music typically played on these instruments during that period is crucial. To bring Vermeer's world closer to those who may not be well-versed in the depth of early music, the following MP3 audio files offer an auditory glimpse into the rich musical tapestry of his time.

Archlute
Chiaccona in partite variate (1,70 MB)
by Alessandro Piccinini (1566–c.1638),
from: Intavolatura di Liuto, et di Chitarrone, Libro Primo (1623), p. 121, performed by Robert Eklund
Archlute
Tastegiata no. 2 (1,20 MB)
Bernardo Gianoncelli,
from: Il Liuto (1650), performed by David Rogers
Baroque guitar
Canarios (1,88 MB)
Gaspar Sanz (c.1640–c.1710)
performed by James Edwards
Baroque guitar
Prélude (780 KB)
Robert de Visée (c. 1655–1732/33)
performed by James Edwards
Baroque guitar
Folias d'Espagne (760 KB)
by Gaspar Sanz (c. 1640–c. 1710)
performed by Roland Ferrandi
Baroque guitar
Menuet (730 KB)
Robert de Visée
performed by James Edwards
Baroque guitar
Toccata & Gigua
Giovanni Battista Granata (1620/21–1687)
performed by Gerard Rebours
Chest-organ
Engelsche Fortuyn (1,50 MB)
(Fortune my Foe) In late medieval times people thought fortuna to be their fate. Sweelinck used a fortuna piece by William Byrd (1543–1623) for three variations. The piece is played on a so-called "chest organ," a small organ for home using. performed by Roland Götz, 1986
Cittern
The Voice of the Ghost
by Anthony Holborne (?-1602),
performed by Lee Santana
from: Classical.com
Harpsichord
Sonata in b-minor (790 KB)
Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757)
performed by Valda Aveling,
harpsichord made by Thomas Goff
Harpsichord
'Lilli' bolero
Henry Purcell ((1659–1695)
performed on a Flemish Single a petit ravalement after Moermans
by Hendrik Broekmann
Harpsichord
Ciaconna in e-minor (930 KB)
Dietrich Buxtehude (1637–1707)
performed by Lionell Rogg
on a Wittmayer and Feldberg pedal-harpsichord
Lute
Canaris (4,26 MB)
from the M.L. Lutebook, 26r, performed by Thomas Berghan, 2001
Lute
Gigue (600 KB)
from Tancrede by T. Gatti
performed by Thomas Berghan, 2001
Lute
Sarabande from Suite in G minor (2,14 MB)
Jacques Bittner (published 1682)
performed by Robert Eklund
Lute
L'Amant malheureux, Allemande (3,56 MB)
(seventeenth century) Jacques Gallot:
performed by Robert Eklund
Lute-harpsichord
Prelude, Partita in c minor BWV 997 (760 KB)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750),
lute-harpsichord, played by Gergely Sarkozy
for information about the lute-harpsichord see Anden Houben, The Lute-Harpsichord: a Forgotten Instrument in: The Baroque Music Home Page, Rare Baroque instruments
Two lutes
Anchor che possa dire
Giovanni Antonio Terzi (c.1580–1600),
Private recording David van Ooijen, 2004 (with Michiel Niessen, lute).
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986.
Two lutes
Canzona (680 KB)
Giovanni Antonio Terzi
Private recording David van Ooijen, 2004 (with Michiel Niessen, lute).
6-course lute by Stephen Barber, 1998.
String consort archlute (accompaniment)
Sonata 2 opus III, Allegro (2,75 MB)
Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713),
Musica Amphion, David van Ooijen, archlute.
from: Corelli - Opera Omnia (Brilliant Classics 92403 10 cd box) 2004.
Archlute after Sellas by Hendrik Hasenfuß, 1991
Lute and cittern
Passing measures Gaillard (1,40 MB)
lute & gittern (gitter is the Engish term of cittern)
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Orchestra
Water Music (550 KB)
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Bath Festival Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin
Orchestra
Music for the Royal Fireworks (400 KB)
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
The Leeds Chamber Orchestra, Martin Stevens
Organ
Preambulum in c (1,36 MB)
Vincent Lübeck (1656–1740),
played by Gosse Hulzinga
on the historic Hinsz organ (1738)
in the Broederkerk, Kampen, Netherlands
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Recorder
Paduan (540 KB)
William Brade (1560–1630),
performed by recorder ensemble Flauto Dolce, Sweden.
Recorder
Canzon: O, Nachbar Roland (1,00 MB)
[Ger. Nachbar = neighbour]
Samuel Scheidt (1587–1654)
performed by recorder ensemble Flauto Dolce, Sweden
Recorder
Fantasy (420 KB)
John Ward (c.1589–1638),
performed by recorder ensemble Flauto Dolce, Sweden.
Recorder
Courante Mars (880 KB)
Jacob van Eyck (c. 1590–1657)
from Der Fluyten-Lusthof II,
performed by Marion Verbruggen
Recorder
Buffons (690 KB)
from Der Fluyten Lust-Hof II, by Jacob van Eyck, performed by Marion Verbruggen, 1996
Recorder
Canzon (400 KB)
William Brade (1560–1630),
performed by the recorder ensemble Flauto Dolce, Sweden
Recorder
Sonata 4 Opus 1, Adagio (770 KB)
Jacob Nozeman (1693–13–1745), recorder, David van Ooijen, archlute.
from: Recorders Recorded - Saskia Coolen (Globe GLO 5209) 2004. Archlute after Sellas by Hendrik Hasenfuß, 1991
Recorder
Sonata 1 (800 KB)
Giovanni Battista Fontana (1589–1630)
from: Twelve Sonatas. - Icarus Ensemble (Claves Records CD 50-2203) 2002.
Hilde de Wolf, recorder, David van Oijen, bass lute, made by Stephen Barber, 1999.
Recorder and cittern
Woodycock (1,14 MB)
recorder & gittern
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Renaissance and early baroque dances
German Dance (400 KB)
Brass
performed by:
The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Renaissance and early baroque dances
Alman (370 KB)
Orchestra
performed by:
The Accademia Monteverdiana Orchestra
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Renaissance and early baroque dances
Gagliarde (570 KB)
Trio
performed by:
The Jaye Consort - Viols, Shawm, Bagpipes and Lute
Desmond Dupré, lute; Harold Lester, harpsichord
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Singing
Eliza is the fairest queen (1,50 MB)
Edward Johnson (1560–1628)
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Singing
When Daphne from fair Phoebus did fly (1,80 MB)
Broadside Ballad
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Singing (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
An Evening Hymne (720 KB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
Sytse Buwalda, counter tenor, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Sacred Arias - Sytse Buwalda (Buwalda Classics BCM 200401) 2004.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Singing (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
'Ik kan uw schoon gezicht niet langer derven' (1,55 MB)
Servaes de Koninck (c.1655–1701),
['I can no longer miss your beautiful face'].
Liesbeth Houdijk, soprano, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Ah! I wish I were a little dog! - Dopo Emilio (Emergo Classics EC 3961-2) 1993.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Singing (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
'Poisoenich strael, Dootlick fenijn' (880 KB)
Pieter L. van der Goes, counter tenor (with Camerata Trajectina), David van Ooijen, lute.
from: Conformisten en rebellen (Amsterdam University Press ISBN 90 5356 618 X) 2003.
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986

David van Ooijen
lute, baroque guitar, theorbo, archlute
http://home.planet.nl/~d.v.ooijen/david/
English bentside spinet
Hornpipe (1,00 MB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695),
performed on an English bentside spinet
by Hendrik Broekmann
English bentside spinet
Lilli' bolero (1,00 MB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695),
performed on an English bentside spinet
by Hendrik Broekmann
Chacone (1,36 MB)
Robert de Visée
performed by Yair Avidordsd
Theorbo
Prelude in e minor (1,30 MB)
Robert de Visée
performed by Yair Avidor
Theorbo
Sarabande in e minor (2,46 MB)
Robert de Visée
performed by Yair Avidor
Theorbo
Toccata arpeggiata (2,46 MB)
Kapsberger
performed by Yair Avidor
Theorbo
Two Duet (1,00 MB)
Heinrich I.F. Biber (1644–1704)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Trumpet
Two Duet (1,00 MB)
Heinrich I.F. Biber (1644–1704)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Trumpet
Sonata 72 (1,30 MB)
Johann Pezel (1639–1694)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Trumpet
Trumpet Tune (500 KB)
Jeremiah Clarke (1674–1707)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Trumpet
The Earl of Oxford's March (2,00 MB)
William Byrd (1546–1623),
performed by Barocktrompeten Ensemble Berlin
Viola da gamba
(consort)
Vivement (430 KB)
from Les Goûts réunïs (1724) by François Couperin (1688–1733)
performed by the ensemble Duo Chelyum.
Viola da gamba
Suite en re majeur (410 KB)
Marin Marais (1656–1728)
performed by Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba, David van Ooijen, theorbo
from: Marais, Pièces de viole du troisièsme livre (TMD 89801) 1998. Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988.
Viola da gamba (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
Première Suite de Pièces de Violes, Prèlude (900 KB)
François Couperin (1668–1733)
from: La manière magnifique - The Spirit of Gambo (Jubal CD ZV 92161-2) 1992.
David van Oijen, theorbo, made by Stephen Barber, 1988
Viola da gamba (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
Ancor che col patire (800 KB)
Riccardo Rognioni (c.1550–1620)
Freek Borstlap, viol, David van Ooijen, lute.
from: The Spirit of Gambo and Friends (Stockfisch RTD 357.1015.2) 1996.
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986.
Viola da gamba (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
Suite en re majeur, Sarabande (820KB)
Marin Marais (1656–1728),
Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Marais, Pièces de viole du troisièsme livre (TMD 89801) 1998.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Viola da gamba (consort)
Fantazia 10 à 4 (380 KB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
performed by viol consort Phantasm
Viola da gamba (consort)
In Nomine 3 à 5 (1,13 MB)
Robert Parsons (c.1535–c.1571/72)
performed by viol consort Phantasm
Viola da gamba (consort)
Suite No. 5 G-minor (390 KB)
Matthew Locke (c.1621/23-c.1677),
performed by viol consort Phantasm
Viola da gamba (consort)
On the Playnsong (400 KB)
William Lawes (1602–1645)
Set à 5, in G',
performed by viol consort Phantasm
Almande De Symmerman (240 KB)
very likely Almande The Carpenter (anon.) from The Susanne van Soldt Manuscript (1599)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Virginals
Malle Symen (230 KB)
Silly Simon
(Jan Pzn. Sweelinck) from The Leningrad Manuscript (1646)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Virginals
Courante Daphne (230 KB)
The popular melody "Daphne" as a French "Courante" dance (anon.) also from The Leningrad Manuscript (1646)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Virginals
Song Tune (1,00 MB)
Henry Purcell ((1659–1695),
performed on a Flemish muselaer virginal
by Hendrik Broekmann
Virginals
Song Tune (800 KB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
performed on a Flemish spinet virginal
by Hendrik Broekmann

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If you discover a or anything else that isn't working as it should be, I'd love to hear it! Please write me at: jonathanjanson@essentialvermeer.com