A Play of Passion: Theatrical Music for Dramatic Times is a portrait of a world shaped by profound changes in religion, culture, and artistic expression, when patronage through royal appointment was existential for musician composers, and when the King’s wishes quickly became government policy.
The album explores the porous boundaries between genres and cultures, tracing the free movement of ideas between England and the Continent, between voices and instruments, and between the worlds of theater, song, and devotion.
It is no coincidence that three living composers—(Peter Knell (b.1970), Lowell Liebermann (b.1961), Elena Ruehr (b.1963)—have been commissioned by Daniel Moody to write for these, our own times of upheaval and madness.
Read the Press Release
ALBUM DROP: Friday, August 28, 2026
A Play of Passion: Theatrical Music for Dramatic Times
APL98377
UPC: 732262898377
Album time: 74:51
Album Release: August 28, 2026
TRACK LIST
*newly commissioned, premiere recording
Sweeter Than Roses, from Pausanias, the Betrayer of his Country, Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
Care-charming sleep, Robert Johnson (c.1583–1633)
*Care-charming sleep for Alto and Four Viols, Elena Ruehr (b.1963)
Fantasia for 5 Viols, VdGS 24: No. 28, Thomas Lupo (c.1571–1627)
Long live fair Oriana, Ellis Gibbons (1573–1603)
Fire! Fire! Lo here I burn, Nicholas Lanier (1588–1666)
*Shine Like Fire, Peter Knell (b.1970)
Fantasy a 5. “Attendite”, Martin Peerson (c.1572–c.1651)
Pandolpho I: Pour down, you pow’rs divine, Robert Parsons (c.1535–1572)
Pandolpho II: No grief is like to mine, Robert Parsons
What is our life, Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625)
Fantasia for 5 Viols, RC 33, John Cooper (Coperario) (c.1570–80–c.1626)
*Music, When Soft Voices Die, for Countertenor and Viol Consort, Lowell Liebermann (b.1961)
Canzon decimaottava a 5, Antonio Troilo (fl.1606-1608)
Gagliarda Quarta a 5, alla Spagnola, Giovanni Maria Trabaci (c.1575–1647)
Canzonetta spirituale sopra alla nanna, Hor ch’è tempo di dormire, Tarquinio Merula (1595–1665)
Clorinda Orazio, Tiberio Vecchi (1550–1605)
Libro de madrigali, Book 6: Era l’anima mia, Benedetto Pallavicino (c.1551–1601)
Sestina: Lagrime d’amante al sepolcro dell’amata, Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
Prima parte: Incenerite spoglie
Seconda parte: Ditelo o fiumi
Terza parte: Darà la notte il sol
Quatra parte: Ma te raccoglie
Quinta parte: O chiome d’or
Sesta et ultima parte: Dunque amate reliquie
Recorded January 8–11, 2023, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Baltimore, USA
Recording engineer: Max Kuzmyak
Mix and mastering engineer: Alexander Brusencev
Producer: Geoffrey Silver
Links: | Daniel Moody | Parthenia | Cover Art | Press Release