Sparke, Philip - Valerius Variations

Dutch artist and poet Adriaen Valerius (c. 1575-1625) is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern published posthumously in 1626. The melody used for this set of variations is Merck toch hoe sterck, whose words tell about the War of Independence with Spain. The melody originally derives from an English tune with the title: What if an houre or a moneth. The beautiful slow melody is followed by a series of lively variations to form an extremely entertaining piece that will bring great joy to all who perform and listen to it.