John Adson: Courtly Masquing Ayres (1621)

John Adson (c.1587-1640) was an English composer born in the Elizabethan era who lived many years abroad in France serving the Duke of Lorraine Charles III.  He returned to live in London and died shortly before the Civil War broke out between the Royalists and Parliamentarians.  Almost nothing is known about the details of his life other than his career as a wind player in the Royal Band and Theatre under England King Charles I. He is remembered mainly for this collection of 5 and 6 part dance music, the Courtly Masquing Ayres which he published in 1621.

Using a MIDI editor, I arranged 10 of pieces from Adson's collection for recorders, brass and string instruments.  I used a virginal, positive organ, lute and chitarrone to accompany or double the harmony lines.

The artworks superimposed on the video are contemporary with John Adson's times. To skip to different musical selection, click on the time stamp associated with a particular Ayre.

0:06   Ayre #2
  a. Ayre 2, CMA (1621)
  b. Recorder player, Hendrick ter Bruggen, 1621
  c. Tenor recorder, early 17th cent.
0:54   Ayre #4
  a. Musical angels, Vincenzo Maganza, 1620
  b. Violin (? English), c1625
  c. St Cecilia, Orazio Gentileschi, 1612
  d. Spinet, Italian, c1600
2:32   Ayre #6
  a. Divine Inspiration of Music, Nicolas Regnier, c1640
  b. Instruments hanging, Italian, 1664
  c. Shepherd boy with recorder, c1640
3:44   Ayre #7
  a. Women with cornetto and sackbut, Esaias von Hulsen, 1617
  b. St Cecilia's vision, Jacques Stella, 1626
4:37   Ayre #9
  a. Ayre 9, CMA, 1621
  b. St Cecilia, Guido Reni, 1606
  c. Allegory of Hearing, detail, Pieter Brueghel, 1618
  d. Child playing flute, Judith Leyster, 1660
  e. Lutenist, Jean de Reyn, c1640
6:16   Ayre #10
  a. Ayre 10, CMA, 1621
  b. Virginal, Flemish, c1600
  c. St. Cecilia, Giuseppe Puglia, c1630
  d. Woman with viol, Anthony van Dyck, 1638
8:11   Ayre #11
  a. Schnitzler trumpet, 1581
  b. Trumpet, Nuremberg, 1581
8:47   Ayre #12
  a. Boy with recorder, Frans Hals, c1623
  b. boy with recorder, Abraham Bloemaert, c1600
9:32   Ayre #13
  a. Dancing party, Frans Francken, c1610
  b. Le concert, Nicolas Tournier, c1630
  c. Virginal, Flemish, 1581
  d. Happy violinist, Gerrit van Honthorst, 1632
10:31   Ayre #14
  a. Ayre 14, CMA, 1621
  b. Allegory of Hearing, Pieter Brueghel, 1618
  c. Fife player, Hendrick ter Bruggen, 1621
  d. View of London Bridge, 1616

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