Purcell’s Three Fantasias in Four Parts (Nos. 10-12): Jordi Savall, Hespèrion XX

In the summer of 1680, five years before the birth of J.S. Bach, the twenty-one year old Henry Purcell composed a collection of fifteen Fantasias for the Viols. At the time, viol consort music was falling out of fashion. The Fantasias received little attention and remained unpublished until 1927. Now, these brief and sublime studies in polyphony, scored for between three and seven voices, are considered to be precursors to Bach’s Musical Offering and Art of Fugue.

The final three Fantasias are a musical conversation among four voices. This recording features the Swiss ensemble, Hespèrion XX, led by Jordi Savall:

Fantasia No. X:

Fantasia No. XI:

Fantasia No. XII:

Recordings

  • Purcell: Fantasias for the Viols, Jordi Savall, Hespèrion XX Amazon

Featured Image: 17th century map of London, originally started by W.Hollar, student of German engraver Mattheus Merian

About Timothy Judd

A native of Upstate New York, Timothy Judd has been a member of the Richmond Symphony violin section since 2001. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he earned the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music, studying with world renowned Ukrainian-American violinist Oleh Krysa.

The son of public school music educators, Timothy Judd began violin lessons at the age of four through Eastman’s Community Education Division. He was a student of Anastasia Jempelis, one of the earliest champions of the Suzuki method in the United States.

A passionate teacher, Mr. Judd has maintained a private violin studio in the Richmond area since 2002 and has been active coaching chamber music and numerous youth orchestra sectionals.

In his free time, Timothy Judd enjoys working out with Richmond’s popular SEAL Team Physical Training program.

Leave a Comment