Overview

Shakespeare’s era was a time of rapid developments in instrumental styles; new genres and techniques for winds, strings, and keyboard instruments became popular with the world changing technology of printed music. But professional instrumentalists in the Renaissance largely improvised, and so, continuing that tradition, our musicians here incorporate their own arrangements and improvisations, in a performance of remarkable fantasias, dances, and virtuoso diminutions from Italy, Spain, France, and England. In continued celebration of the Shakespeare anniversary, lively “groundling” music — country dances and tunes mentioned in his plays — charms all listeners.