Boyce's Secular Masque, dating from the 1740s, is a setting of
words by Dryden in which various gods and goddesses discuss the
morals of the day. Boyce applies his ingenious technique with
considerable brilliance and wit, and there is a markedly
sensuous tone to some of the music, with its rich orchestration
(some lively writing for horns), its tunefulness and its warm
harmony.
The disc also includes three unfamiliar overtures, one of them
a French overture from 1739 in trumpets-and-drums style for a
Cecilian ode, another a four-movement piece from 1768, with a
rich-textured opening movement, a dashing fugue, a typically
wistful slowish movement and a gigue. Together they present a
fascinating glimpse of the 'unknown' William Boyce.
The recording is directed by Graham Lea-Cox, who also prepared
the performing editions from the original manuscripts in
London and Oxford.
Recorded in St John's, Smith Square, London
3-5 August 1996
Playing time : 71'31" DDD
Reviews
"To anyone who relishes the particular flavour of English
music of the mid-eighteenth century, this record is one not to
be missed. The music's high spirits are excellently captured
in this recording under Graham Lea-Cox, who clearly enjoys
every minute of it, and the admirable team of soloists are
all nicely attuned to the idiom."
The Gramophone
