Baroque and Classical
The majority of music is drawn from the Baroque and Classical periods with some excursions into the Renaissance and 20th Century. There is a wide range of songs and instrumental pieces available in the catalogue.
The Songs
Many of the songs are drawn from the Masques and Operas of the early period. These entertainments, largely for the delight of the court and royalty, were full of beautiful Arias, many of which have survived the test of time. The Operas, for which they were written, have mostly been forgotten. What we have left are scores of beautiful songs, which lend themselves to guitar accompaniment. Many of these pieces exist at a high artistic level and are often, sublime.
John has realised songs by many composers of that early period, including: Vivaldi, Caldara, Lotti, Pergolesi, Purcell, Handel, Bach, Thomas Arne and William Boyce amongst others. Many of these songs are rarely performed, but they offer an insight to the musical styles, values and tastes of their period. They are often musically and technically challenging to both singer and accompanist.
Currently the catalogue includes a new Song Cycle by Leigh Harrison and John himself has a
song cycle in preparation.
The Instrumental Music is drawn from similar periods and also includes solo material.