Daydreams (and Dictators)
Music by Lully, Marais, Weiss, and C. P. E. Bach
featuring Laura Heimes (soprano), Daniel Swenberg (lute and theorbo),
Vita Wallace (Baroque violin), Lisa Terry (bass viol),
and Caitlyn Koester (harpsichord).
“Daydreams (and Dictators)” explores the the flourishing music scenes of Versailles (Louis XIV) Dresden (August the Strong), and Berlin (Fredrick the Great) in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the renaissance and baroque eras, rulers were highly educated, cultivating the arts in particular. They would hire the greatest, performers, composers, poets, and painters. Art was used as an expression of power.
The literally enchanting “Sommeil—sleep/dream” scenes of Lully’s operas whisk the listener into a daydream of otherworldly beauty, free from care. The Dryden ensemble has created chamber versions of these famous scenes from the myriad arrangements of famous arias and symphonies for trio sonatas, harpsichord and lute solos. Marais’ moving Tombeau for Lully, CPE Bach’s sonata for solo flute and Sylvius Leopold Weiss’ sonata “the fameux corsaire” complete the program.
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 4 pm
II
Lachrimae; In Praise of Tears
Music commemorating the 400th anniversary of John Dowland’s death
and Franz Schubert’s 229th birthday, featuring Clara Rottsolk (soprano),
Daniel Swenberg (lute and Romantic guitar), and Lisa Terry (bass viol).
In “Lachrimæ: In Praise of Tears,” the Dryden ensemble celebrates two of the greatest song writers: John Dowland and Franz Schubert. 2026 is the 450th anniversary of the death of Dowland. January 31 is Franz Schubert’s birthday. Along with curated selection of Dowland’s lute ayres, lute solos and ensembles will be drawn from Dowland’s famous collection Lachrimæ- a lute and viol collection based in part on his most famous song “Flow my Tears”. Editions of Schubert’s Lieder for voice and guitar were all the rage in the Biedermeier period. Schubert himself approved Diabelli’s editions and owned an instrument by the famous Viennese luthier Stauffer. Our selections will be drawn from editions of Diabelli, Coste, and a manuscript of Schubert’s friend and poet Baron von Schlecta.
"It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to." Despite the occasional tears, it will be a fun party. . .
Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 4 pm
III
La Conversation
Duets and trios for Baroque lute, Lautenwerk (lute-harpsichord), and violin.
Performers include Daniel Swenberg, (Baroque lute), Dongsok Shin (Lautenwerk), and Edwin Huizinga (Baroque violin).
“La Conversation” showcases the fluid state of so much ensemble music for the lute. Alternating duets and trios, Dryden ensemble explores period arrangements for the baroque lute, the lute-harpsichord or Lautenwerk, and the violin. We will present Bach’s sonata for violin and obbligato harpsichord BWV 1025, which Bach composed to a sonata for lute by Sylvius Weiss in a variety orchestrations and comparisons, along with music of Weiss, Hagen, DeVisée, and Pichler.
Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 4 pm
All concerts will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Princeton.
50 Cherry Hill Road
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Admission is free.
Donations are much appreciated.
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