Please note that music files that are linked to are not necessarily the same edition we will be using on the day and therefore there may be some slight differences.
Victoria O quam gloriosum or YouTube SATB
Victoria was the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the leading figures of church music in the Europe of his day. His joyful O quam gloriosum of 1572, written for All Saints Day (1 November), depicts the glorious vision of the company of heaven. The motet, described by Tovey as the most perfect ever written, starts in quiet awe, with chords which imitate an organ, but moves into livelier scales on 'gaudent' to suggest the joy of the saints.
Weelkes Like two proud armies or YouTube SSATBB
This great madrigal is based on Striggio's Non rumor di tambura, with the opposing forces being those of love and reason. It opens with an extended section in 6-part tutti, distinctly martial in feel, followed by a wonderfully evocative 'thundering fight' and some lovely word-painting on 'scorns to yield' before a return to a military-like conflict before dazzled reason submits to shining beauty.
Ward Out from the vale or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATBB
John Ward was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral before moving to London where he served Sir Henry Fanshawe as a musician. His madrigals are noted for their fine texts, broad melodic lines and originality.
Out from the vale is a typical example of love-melancholy. Look out for the distinctive four-note descending patterns, which provide a striking cascading effect – these are sometimes called L motives, from similarities with Dowland's Lachrymae (the famous 'Flow my tears'). Note also a wonderful F/F# dissonance on the word 'bitter'.
Morley The nymphs in green SSATB
We haven't sung this madrigal since 2005! – perhaps we’re about to find out why… ? It is about a game of barley-break, which we’ve encountered in Now is the month of maying where it essentially refers to a romp in the hay. However, there is indeed such a game! – see barley-break. The reference to 'jail' (sometimes called 'hell') is to the middle section of the playing area, and is from where the phrase 'the last couple in hell' is thought to originate. 'Sith' is archaic for 'since'.
Nicolson Sing Shepherds all or YouTube SSATB
Richard Nicolson became organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford in 1596 before taking his degree a year later and becoming the first Heather Professor of Music in 1626.
Sing shepherds all is the composer's contribution to Morley's celebratory Triumphs of Oriana. It is jolly madrigal, with chivalrous emphasis on 'the gods above' willing to join in the praise of Oriana. There is the usual word-painting, particularly on 'roundelays' (a type of circle dance), rising phrases on 'gods above' answered by a lower-pitched 'men below'.
We last looked at this piece in February 2018, and it’s quite lengthy, so please do consider looking at it again in advance. It does break down into manageable sections though!
Weelkes Welcome sweet Pleasure or YouTube SSATB
An easy ballet in three verses, which again we haven't sung for some years. It is delightfully nimble and shouldn't provide any difficulties. I love that the first set of fa-las are actually no-nos!
Please note that music files that are linked to are not necessarily the same edition we will be using on the day and therefore there may be some slight differences.
Victoria O quam gloriosum or YouTube SATB
Victoria was the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the leading figures of church music in the Europe of his day. His joyful O quam gloriosum of 1572, written for All Saints Day (1 November), depicts the glorious vision of the company of heaven. The motet, described by Tovey as the most perfect ever written, starts in quiet awe, with chords which imitate an organ, but moves into livelier scales on 'gaudent' to suggest the joy of the saints.
Weelkes Like two proud armies or YouTube SSATBB
This great madrigal is based on Striggio's Non rumor di tambura, with the opposing forces being those of love and reason. It opens with an extended section in 6-part tutti, distinctly martial in feel, followed by a wonderfully evocative 'thundering fight' and some lovely word-painting on 'scorns to yield' before a return to a military-like conflict before dazzled reason submits to shining beauty.
Ward Out from the vale or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATBB
John Ward was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral before moving to London where he served Sir Henry Fanshawe as a musician. His madrigals are noted for their fine texts, broad melodic lines and originality.
Out from the vale is a typical example of love-melancholy. Look out for the distinctive four-note descending patterns, which provide a striking cascading effect – these are sometimes called L motives, from similarities with Dowland's Lachrymae (the famous 'Flow my tears'). Note also a wonderful F/F# dissonance on the word 'bitter'.
Morley The nymphs in green SSATB
We haven't sung this madrigal since 2005! – perhaps we’re about to find out why… ? It is about a game of barley-break, which we’ve encountered in Now is the month of maying where it essentially refers to a romp in the hay. However, there is indeed such a game! – see barley-break. The reference to 'jail' (sometimes called 'hell') is to the middle section of the playing area, and is from where the phrase 'the last couple in hell' is thought to originate. 'Sith' is archaic for 'since'.
Nicolson Sing Shepherds all or YouTube SSATB
Richard Nicolson became organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford in 1596 before taking his degree a year later and becoming the first Heather Professor of Music in 1626.
Sing shepherds all is the composer's contribution to Morley's celebratory Triumphs of Oriana. It is jolly madrigal, with chivalrous emphasis on 'the gods above' willing to join in the praise of Oriana. There is the usual word-painting, particularly on 'roundelays' (a type of circle dance), rising phrases on 'gods above' answered by a lower-pitched 'men below'.
We last looked at this piece in February 2018, and it’s quite lengthy, so please do consider looking at it again in advance. It does break down into manageable sections though!
Weelkes Welcome sweet Pleasure or YouTube SSATB
An easy ballet in three verses, which again we haven't sung for some years. It is delightfully nimble and shouldn't provide any difficulties. I love that the first set of fa-las are actually no-nos!
Please note that music files that are linked to are not necessarily the same edition we will be using on the day and therefore there may be some slight differences.
Victoria O quam gloriosum or YouTube SATB
Victoria was the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the leading figures of church music in the Europe of his day. His joyful O quam gloriosum of 1572, written for All Saints Day (1 November), depicts the glorious vision of the company of heaven. The motet, described by Tovey as the most perfect ever written, starts in quiet awe, with chords which imitate an organ, but moves into livelier scales on 'gaudent' to suggest the joy of the saints.
Weelkes Like two proud armies or YouTube SSATBB
This great madrigal is based on Striggio's Non rumor di tambura, with the opposing forces being those of love and reason. It opens with an extended section in 6-part tutti, distinctly martial in feel, followed by a wonderfully evocative 'thundering fight' and some lovely word-painting on 'scorns to yield' before a return to a military-like conflict before dazzled reason submits to shining beauty.
Ward Out from the vale or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATBB
John Ward was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral before moving to London where he served Sir Henry Fanshawe as a musician. His madrigals are noted for their fine texts, broad melodic lines and originality.
Out from the vale is a typical example of love-melancholy. Look out for the distinctive four-note descending patterns, which provide a striking cascading effect – these are sometimes called L motives, from similarities with Dowland's Lachrymae (the famous 'Flow my tears'). Note also a wonderful F/F# dissonance on the word 'bitter'.
Morley The nymphs in green SSATB
We haven't sung this madrigal since 2005! – perhaps we’re about to find out why… ? It is about a game of barley-break, which we’ve encountered in Now is the month of maying where it essentially refers to a romp in the hay. However, there is indeed such a game! – see barley-break. The reference to 'jail' (sometimes called 'hell') is to the middle section of the playing area, and is from where the phrase 'the last couple in hell' is thought to originate. 'Sith' is archaic for 'since'.
Nicolson Sing Shepherds all or YouTube SSATB
Richard Nicolson became organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford in 1596 before taking his degree a year later and becoming the first Heather Professor of Music in 1626.
Sing shepherds all is the composer's contribution to Morley's celebratory Triumphs of Oriana. It is jolly madrigal, with chivalrous emphasis on 'the gods above' willing to join in the praise of Oriana. There is the usual word-painting, particularly on 'roundelays' (a type of circle dance), rising phrases on 'gods above' answered by a lower-pitched 'men below'.
We last looked at this piece in February 2018, and it’s quite lengthy, so please do consider looking at it again in advance. It does break down into manageable sections though!
Weelkes Welcome sweet Pleasure or YouTube SSATB
An easy ballet in three verses, which again we haven't sung for some years. It is delightfully nimble and shouldn't provide any difficulties. I love that the first set of fa-las are actually no-nos!
