audio files
Musicians in an Interior (detail)
Leonaert Bramer
c. 1660
37.2 x 46.3 cm.,
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
To truly appreciate the role of music in Vermeer's paintings, it is essential to delve beyond the surface-level iconographic meanings, as intriguing as they are. A comprehensive understanding requires familiarity with the musical environment of Vermeer's era, including the instruments featured in his works, their historical context, playing techniques, and the unique sounds they produce. Additionally, knowledge of the music typically played on these instruments during that period is crucial. To bring Vermeer's world closer to those who may not be well-versed in the depth of early music, the following MP3 audio files offer an auditory glimpse into the rich musical tapestry of his time.
Chiaccona in partite variate (1,70 MB)
by Alessandro Piccinini (1566–c.1638),
from: Intavolatura di Liuto, et di Chitarrone, Libro Primo (1623), p. 121, performed by Robert Eklund
by Alessandro Piccinini (1566–c.1638),
from: Intavolatura di Liuto, et di Chitarrone, Libro Primo (1623), p. 121, performed by Robert Eklund
Archlute
Baroque guitar
Baroque guitar
Baroque guitar
Baroque guitar
Engelsche Fortuyn (1,50 MB)
(Fortune my Foe) In late medieval times people thought fortuna to be their fate. Sweelinck used a fortuna piece by William Byrd (1543–1623) for three variations. The piece is played on a so-called "chest organ," a small organ for home using. performed by Roland Götz, 1986
(Fortune my Foe) In late medieval times people thought fortuna to be their fate. Sweelinck used a fortuna piece by William Byrd (1543–1623) for three variations. The piece is played on a so-called "chest organ," a small organ for home using. performed by Roland Götz, 1986
Sonata in b-minor (790 KB)
Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757)
performed by Valda Aveling,
harpsichord made by Thomas Goff
Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757)
performed by Valda Aveling,
harpsichord made by Thomas Goff
Harpsichord
'Lilli' bolero
Henry Purcell ((1659–1695)
performed on a Flemish Single a petit ravalement after Moermans
by Hendrik Broekmann
Henry Purcell ((1659–1695)
performed on a Flemish Single a petit ravalement after Moermans
by Hendrik Broekmann
Harpsichord
Ciaconna in e-minor (930 KB)
Dietrich Buxtehude (1637–1707)
performed by Lionell Rogg
on a Wittmayer and Feldberg pedal-harpsichord
Dietrich Buxtehude (1637–1707)
performed by Lionell Rogg
on a Wittmayer and Feldberg pedal-harpsichord
Lute
Lute
Sarabande from Suite in G minor (2,14 MB)
Jacques Bittner (published 1682)
performed by Robert Eklund
Jacques Bittner (published 1682)
performed by Robert Eklund
Lute
L'Amant malheureux, Allemande (3,56 MB)
(seventeenth century) Jacques Gallot:
performed by Robert Eklund
(seventeenth century) Jacques Gallot:
performed by Robert Eklund
Prelude, Partita in c minor BWV 997 (760 KB)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750),
lute-harpsichord, played by Gergely Sarkozy
for information about the lute-harpsichord see Anden Houben, The Lute-Harpsichord: a Forgotten Instrument in: The Baroque Music Home Page, Rare Baroque instruments
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750),
lute-harpsichord, played by Gergely Sarkozy
for information about the lute-harpsichord see Anden Houben, The Lute-Harpsichord: a Forgotten Instrument in: The Baroque Music Home Page, Rare Baroque instruments
Anchor che possa dire
Giovanni Antonio Terzi (c.1580–1600),
Private recording David van Ooijen, 2004 (with Michiel Niessen, lute).
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986.
Giovanni Antonio Terzi (c.1580–1600),
Private recording David van Ooijen, 2004 (with Michiel Niessen, lute).
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986.
Two lutes
Canzona (680 KB)
Giovanni Antonio Terzi
Private recording David van Ooijen, 2004 (with Michiel Niessen, lute).
6-course lute by Stephen Barber, 1998.
Giovanni Antonio Terzi
Private recording David van Ooijen, 2004 (with Michiel Niessen, lute).
6-course lute by Stephen Barber, 1998.
String consort archlute (accompaniment)
Sonata 2 opus III, Allegro (2,75 MB)
Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713),
Musica Amphion, David van Ooijen, archlute.
from: Corelli - Opera Omnia (Brilliant Classics 92403 10 cd box) 2004.
Archlute after Sellas by Hendrik Hasenfuß, 1991
Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713),
Musica Amphion, David van Ooijen, archlute.
from: Corelli - Opera Omnia (Brilliant Classics 92403 10 cd box) 2004.
Archlute after Sellas by Hendrik Hasenfuß, 1991
Lute and cittern
Passing measures Gaillard (1,40 MB)
lute & gittern (gitter is the Engish term of cittern)
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
lute & gittern (gitter is the Engish term of cittern)
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Orchestra
Orchestra
Music for the Royal Fireworks (400 KB)
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
The Leeds Chamber Orchestra, Martin Stevens
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
The Leeds Chamber Orchestra, Martin Stevens
Preambulum in c (1,36 MB)
Vincent Lübeck (1656–1740),
played by Gosse Hulzinga
on the historic Hinsz organ (1738)
in the Broederkerk, Kampen, Netherlands
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Vincent Lübeck (1656–1740),
played by Gosse Hulzinga
on the historic Hinsz organ (1738)
in the Broederkerk, Kampen, Netherlands
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Recorder
Canzon: O, Nachbar Roland (1,00 MB)
[Ger. Nachbar = neighbour]
Samuel Scheidt (1587–1654)
performed by recorder ensemble Flauto Dolce, Sweden
[Ger. Nachbar = neighbour]
Samuel Scheidt (1587–1654)
performed by recorder ensemble Flauto Dolce, Sweden
Recorder
Recorder
Courante Mars (880 KB)
Jacob van Eyck (c. 1590–1657)
from Der Fluyten-Lusthof II,
performed by Marion Verbruggen
Jacob van Eyck (c. 1590–1657)
from Der Fluyten-Lusthof II,
performed by Marion Verbruggen
Recorder
Buffons (690 KB)
from Der Fluyten Lust-Hof II, by Jacob van Eyck, performed by Marion Verbruggen, 1996
from Der Fluyten Lust-Hof II, by Jacob van Eyck, performed by Marion Verbruggen, 1996
Recorder
Recorder
Sonata 4 Opus 1, Adagio (770 KB)
Jacob Nozeman (1693–13–1745), recorder, David van Ooijen, archlute.
from: Recorders Recorded - Saskia Coolen (Globe GLO 5209) 2004. Archlute after Sellas by Hendrik Hasenfuß, 1991
Jacob Nozeman (1693–13–1745), recorder, David van Ooijen, archlute.
from: Recorders Recorded - Saskia Coolen (Globe GLO 5209) 2004. Archlute after Sellas by Hendrik Hasenfuß, 1991
Recorder
Sonata 1 (800 KB)
Giovanni Battista Fontana (1589–1630)
from: Twelve Sonatas. - Icarus Ensemble (Claves Records CD 50-2203) 2002.
Hilde de Wolf, recorder, David van Oijen, bass lute, made by Stephen Barber, 1999.
Giovanni Battista Fontana (1589–1630)
from: Twelve Sonatas. - Icarus Ensemble (Claves Records CD 50-2203) 2002.
Hilde de Wolf, recorder, David van Oijen, bass lute, made by Stephen Barber, 1999.
Recorder and cittern
Renaissance and early baroque dances
German Dance (400 KB)
Brass
performed by:
The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Brass
performed by:
The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Renaissance and early baroque dances
Alman (370 KB)
Orchestra
performed by:
The Accademia Monteverdiana Orchestra
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Orchestra
performed by:
The Accademia Monteverdiana Orchestra
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Renaissance and early baroque dances
Gagliarde (570 KB)
Trio
performed by:
The Jaye Consort - Viols, Shawm, Bagpipes and Lute
Desmond Dupré, lute; Harold Lester, harpsichord
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Trio
performed by:
The Jaye Consort - Viols, Shawm, Bagpipes and Lute
Desmond Dupré, lute; Harold Lester, harpsichord
Denis Stevens, Conductor & Musical Director
from: Baroque Music Sampler
Eliza is the fairest queen (1,50 MB)
Edward Johnson (1560–1628)
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Edward Johnson (1560–1628)
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Singing
When Daphne from fair Phoebus did fly (1,80 MB)
Broadside Ballad
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Broadside Ballad
performed by Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel
Singing (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
An Evening Hymne (720 KB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
Sytse Buwalda, counter tenor, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Sacred Arias - Sytse Buwalda (Buwalda Classics BCM 200401) 2004.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
Sytse Buwalda, counter tenor, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Sacred Arias - Sytse Buwalda (Buwalda Classics BCM 200401) 2004.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Singing (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
'Ik kan uw schoon gezicht niet langer derven' (1,55 MB)
Servaes de Koninck (c.1655–1701),
['I can no longer miss your beautiful face'].
Liesbeth Houdijk, soprano, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Ah! I wish I were a little dog! - Dopo Emilio (Emergo Classics EC 3961-2) 1993.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Servaes de Koninck (c.1655–1701),
['I can no longer miss your beautiful face'].
Liesbeth Houdijk, soprano, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Ah! I wish I were a little dog! - Dopo Emilio (Emergo Classics EC 3961-2) 1993.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Singing (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
'Poisoenich strael, Dootlick fenijn' (880 KB)
Pieter L. van der Goes, counter tenor (with Camerata Trajectina), David van Ooijen, lute.
from: Conformisten en rebellen (Amsterdam University Press ISBN 90 5356 618 X) 2003.
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986
David van Ooijen
lute, baroque guitar, theorbo, archlute
http://home.planet.nl/~d.v.ooijen/david/
Pieter L. van der Goes, counter tenor (with Camerata Trajectina), David van Ooijen, lute.
from: Conformisten en rebellen (Amsterdam University Press ISBN 90 5356 618 X) 2003.
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986
David van Ooijen
lute, baroque guitar, theorbo, archlute
http://home.planet.nl/~d.v.ooijen/david/
Concerto Grosso 12 in d minor La Follia (790 KB)
Francesco Geminiani (1687–1762):
played by The Milan Baroque Soloists
from: http://www.baroquecds.com/musamples.html
Francesco Geminiani (1687–1762):
played by The Milan Baroque Soloists
from: http://www.baroquecds.com/musamples.html
English bentside spinet
Hornpipe (1,00 MB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695),
performed on an English bentside spinet
by Hendrik Broekmann
Henry Purcell (1659–1695),
performed on an English bentside spinet
by Hendrik Broekmann
English bentside spinet
Lilli' bolero (1,00 MB)
Henry Purcell (1659–1695),
performed on an English bentside spinet
by Hendrik Broekmann
Henry Purcell (1659–1695),
performed on an English bentside spinet
by Hendrik Broekmann
Theorbo
Theorbo
Theorbo
Theorbo
Two Duet (1,00 MB)
Heinrich I.F. Biber (1644–1704)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Heinrich I.F. Biber (1644–1704)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Two Duet (1,00 MB)
Heinrich I.F. Biber (1644–1704)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Heinrich I.F. Biber (1644–1704)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Trumpet
Trumpet
Trumpet Tune (500 KB)
Jeremiah Clarke (1674–1707)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Jeremiah Clarke (1674–1707)
performed Baroque trumpet ensemble Clarino Consort
Trumpet
The Earl of Oxford's March (2,00 MB)
William Byrd (1546–1623),
performed by Barocktrompeten Ensemble Berlin
William Byrd (1546–1623),
performed by Barocktrompeten Ensemble Berlin
Viola da gamba
(consort)
(consort)
Vivement (430 KB)
from Les Goûts réunïs (1724) by François Couperin (1688–1733)
performed by the ensemble Duo Chelyum.
from Les Goûts réunïs (1724) by François Couperin (1688–1733)
performed by the ensemble Duo Chelyum.
Viola da gamba
Suite en re majeur (410 KB)
Marin Marais (1656–1728)
performed by Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba, David van Ooijen, theorbo
from: Marais, Pièces de viole du troisièsme livre (TMD 89801) 1998. Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988.
Marin Marais (1656–1728)
performed by Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba, David van Ooijen, theorbo
from: Marais, Pièces de viole du troisièsme livre (TMD 89801) 1998. Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988.
Viola da gamba (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
Première Suite de Pièces de Violes, Prèlude (900 KB)
François Couperin (1668–1733)
from: La manière magnifique - The Spirit of Gambo (Jubal CD ZV 92161-2) 1992.
David van Oijen, theorbo, made by Stephen Barber, 1988
François Couperin (1668–1733)
from: La manière magnifique - The Spirit of Gambo (Jubal CD ZV 92161-2) 1992.
David van Oijen, theorbo, made by Stephen Barber, 1988
Viola da gamba (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
Ancor che col patire (800 KB)
Riccardo Rognioni (c.1550–1620)
Freek Borstlap, viol, David van Ooijen, lute.
from: The Spirit of Gambo and Friends (Stockfisch RTD 357.1015.2) 1996.
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986.
Riccardo Rognioni (c.1550–1620)
Freek Borstlap, viol, David van Ooijen, lute.
from: The Spirit of Gambo and Friends (Stockfisch RTD 357.1015.2) 1996.
8-course lute after Hieber by Nico van der Waals, 1986.
Viola da gamba (with theorbo or lute accompaniment)
Suite en re majeur, Sarabande (820KB)
Marin Marais (1656–1728),
Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Marais, Pièces de viole du troisièsme livre (TMD 89801) 1998.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Marin Marais (1656–1728),
Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba, David van Ooijen, theorbo.
from: Marais, Pièces de viole du troisièsme livre (TMD 89801) 1998.
Theorbo by Stephen Barber, 1988
Viola da gamba (consort)
Viola da gamba (consort)
Viola da gamba (consort)
Viola da gamba (consort)
On the Playnsong (400 KB)
William Lawes (1602–1645)
Set à 5, in G',
performed by viol consort Phantasm
William Lawes (1602–1645)
Set à 5, in G',
performed by viol consort Phantasm
Almande De Symmerman (240 KB)
very likely Almande The Carpenter (anon.) from The Susanne van Soldt Manuscript (1599)
performed by Joop Klaassen
very likely Almande The Carpenter (anon.) from The Susanne van Soldt Manuscript (1599)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Virginals
Malle Symen (230 KB)
Silly Simon
(Jan Pzn. Sweelinck) from The Leningrad Manuscript (1646)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Silly Simon
(Jan Pzn. Sweelinck) from The Leningrad Manuscript (1646)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Virginals
Courante Daphne (230 KB)
The popular melody "Daphne" as a French "Courante" dance (anon.) also from The Leningrad Manuscript (1646)
performed by Joop Klaassen
The popular melody "Daphne" as a French "Courante" dance (anon.) also from The Leningrad Manuscript (1646)
performed by Joop Klaassen
Virginals
Song Tune (1,00 MB)
Henry Purcell ((1659–1695),
performed on a Flemish muselaer virginal
by Hendrik Broekmann
Henry Purcell ((1659–1695),
performed on a Flemish muselaer virginal
by Hendrik Broekmann