William Brade (1560-1630) was an English composer and musician who thrived during the transition between the Renaissance and the early Baroque periods. A notable figure of his time, Brade’s musical career saw him travel extensively across Europe, which greatly influenced his compositional style. His work prominently featured dance music, such as paduanen (pavanes), galliarden (galliards), canzonen (canzonas), and couranten (courantes), and was well-received, especially in the Germanic territories where he spent much of his career. Brade’s collections of instrumental music secure his place as a critical link in the evolution of consort music, showcasing the flourishing styles of dance and chamber music of the early 17th century.

Despite being a historical figure, recent releases titled "William Brade: Piano Interpretation" suggest a contemporary reimagining of his works, albeit performed on an instrument that would have been foreign to Brade’s time period—the piano. These volumes display the timeless nature of Brade’s compositions, adapting his music to modern tastes and reaffirming his relevance in today’s classical music landscape. These interpretative recordings, which consist of Brade's intricate and courtly dance pieces, reflect both the enduring appeal of his music and the ongoing scholarly interest in performing and analyzing the works of Renaissance composers. Additionally, works like "Brade: Hamburger Ratsmusik (Consort Music Ca. 1600)" and “Danish Music for Brass 7” underscore the enduring resonance of his contributions to the early Baroque repertoire, particularly with regard to German and Danish musical traditions.

Genres

Early Music

English Renaissance

Renaissance

Latest Release

William Brade: Piano Interpretation, Vol. 2, (Newe Ausserlesene Paduanen, Galliarden, Cantzonen, Allmand Und Couranten)

William Brade

Album - 40 Tracks - Released May 27, 2020