Lawrence Zazzo, Tercia Realidad, Soraya Mafi - Weeping Philosophers (2024)

Tracklist

01. Cantate, ariette, e duetti, Op. 2: No. 14, L'Eraclito amoroso
02. Duetti da camera: No. 6, A piè d'un verde alloro "I filosofi"
03. Ballo di ginnosofisti filosof: I. —
04. Ballo di ginnosofisti filosof: II. —
05. Ballo di ginnosofisti filosof: III. —
06. The Female Virtuosos, Z. 596: No. 1, Love Thou Art Best of Humane Joys
07. Héraclite et Démocrite: No. 1, Dans un abîme affreux
08. Héraclite et Démocrite: No. 2, Pleurez mes yeux
09. Héraclite et Démocrite: No. 3, Laches et credules amants
10. Héraclite et Démocrite: No. 4, Portez a vos belles
11. Héraclite et Démocrite: No. 5, Non, non
12. Héraclite et Démocrite: No. 6, Dans la tempête & dans l'orage
13. Der geduldige Socrates, TWV 21:9: Vergnüge dich, mein stiller Mut!
14. The Tippling Philosophers
15. Héraclite, Démocrite, Diogène
16. Violin Sonata No. 4 , Op. 6 "Amusemens pour la Chambre": I. L'Héraclite
17. Violin Sonata No. 4 , Op. 6 "Amusemens pour la Chambre": II. La Démocrite
18. The Dragon of Wantley: Zeno, Plato, Aristotle
19. Vincesti pur vincesti: No. 1, Vincesti pur vincesti
20. Vincesti pur vincesti: No. 2, Numi, o voi che in ciel
21. Vincesti pur vincesti: No. 3, Ma già l'ora fatal
22. Vincesti pur vincesti: No. 4, Piangi Roma



The depiction of philosophers and philosophy in early modern music is varied and colourful, at times tragicomic and by no means always 'historically informed'.

The noble but mocked Seneca in Monteverdi's Poppea, the hen-pecked, polygamous Socrates in Telemann's Der geduldige Sokrates, the tipple-loving Diogenes and Aristotle in the ballad songs of Leveridge and Lampe, and the lovestruck Heraclitus and Democritus in the more serious duets. There are also the trios and laments of Carissimi, Purcell, Strozzi, Couperin and Jean-Baptise Stuck.

Heraclitus and Democritus, two pre-Socratic 5th century thinkers, were particularly fruitful subjects for depiction due to their association with two polar effects: Heraclitus came to be known as the 'weeping philosopher' and was often contrasted in artistic depictions with Democritus, the 'laughing philosopher'.

Far from being detached oracles rhetorically dispensing wisdom, these philosopher-singers are feeling as well as thinking subjects, subject to suffering and (self) derision in equal measure.

In this project countertenor Lawrence Zazzo collaborates with soprano Soraya Mafi and Jorge Jimenez plus Spanish ensemble Tercia Realidad to explore as a piece of creative practice the depiction of philosophers and their philosophies in Italian, German, French, and English vocal music in the early modern period.

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