ZSOMBOR TÓTH-VAJNA & THE SOLOISTS OF THE HARMONIA CAELESTIS BAROQUE ORCHESTRA Presented by Liszt Academy

In 1660, the reign of Cromwell and the Puritans had ended, and the English Restoration began. With Charles II’s accession to the throne, culture - and music in particular - began to prosper again. The compositions of this period continue the earlier English tradition but incorporate considerable French and Italian influences. John Blow and his pupil Henry Purcell, as organists of Westminster Abbey, introduced a new musical language in both vocal and instrumental sacred music. The concert will feature a selection from the Harmonia Sacra collection, offering an insight into the everyday musical lives of 17th-century Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal.