Byrd Ave verum corpus or YouTube SATB
William Byrd (1543-1623) was the greatest English composer of his era. His richly expressive Ave verum corpus was written for the feast of Corpus Christi and is often sung as a communion motet: its clear structure, perfectly controlled polyphony and intense conviction reach directly to the listener and make it an enduring favourite.
Farmer Fair nymphs, I heard one telling or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATBB
Another look (continuing from October) at this celebration of the Virgin Queen and her fair realm, from The Triumphs of Oriana, with plenty of lively imitation between the two soprano parts. Note the conversation between the lower three parts at the start, mellifluous quavers on 'beautify', running fauns, and a stillness around 'amazed'.
Vautor Mother I will have a husband or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
There is much wit in this light-hearted and energetic portrayal of wilful adolescence. It is largely homophonic, but there are some interesting excursions, especially during the 'gad' into town ('to get a husband, good or bad') and at the inevitable kissing!
Bateson These sweet and delightful lilies or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
This comes from the composer's First Set of English Madrigals. Bateson lived from 1570-1630 and was organist at Chester Cathedral and Christ Church Dublin, although his fame comes from his madrigal compositions. It is a tale of unrequited love, based on the Italian 'I bei ligustri e rose' by an unknown poet. As with many similar pieces it is not as long as it looks - there are two repeated sections ('Those sweet delightful lilies' and 'Ay me') in which the S1 and S2 parts are exchanged.
Farnaby Consture my meaning or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SATB
Little is known about Giles Farnaby (1563-1640). Some state he was not a professional musician - he trained as a joiner and largely described himself as such - but the quality of his music and an Oxford Bachelor of Music degree seem to suggest otherwise. His Canzonets of 1598 contained congratulatory poems from some of the greatest composers of the day and he is considered one of the greatest virginalists. Consture my meaning is a short gem of a piece, characterised by falling chromatic phrases which are its major challenges. You might like to listen to a recording ahead of the meeting!
The following recordings for each individual voice part have the one voice played louder than all the others, using a trumpet sound.
You should be able to open the score and then come back to this window and click on one of these and hear the sound at the same time as following the music.
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
Tomkins Fusca, in thy starry eyes or YouTube SSATB
The text is dedicated to 'Mr Phineas Fletcher' and has a link to one of his poetic characters. Fusca was the 'cruel dark lady' and the phrase 'Love in black still mourning dies' was originally written in 'black notes', which usually referred to sesquialtera or three notes in the time of two. The mock pathos of 'so many slain' leads quickly to the capricious rhythms of 'thou has loved none again' and the coquettish syncopations of the final fa las.
Byrd Ave verum corpus or YouTube SATB
William Byrd (1543-1623) was the greatest English composer of his era. His richly expressive Ave verum corpus was written for the feast of Corpus Christi and is often sung as a communion motet: its clear structure, perfectly controlled polyphony and intense conviction reach directly to the listener and make it an enduring favourite.
Farmer Fair nymphs, I heard one telling or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATBB
Another look (continuing from October) at this celebration of the Virgin Queen and her fair realm, from The Triumphs of Oriana, with plenty of lively imitation between the two soprano parts. Note the conversation between the lower three parts at the start, mellifluous quavers on 'beautify', running fauns, and a stillness around 'amazed'.
Vautor Mother I will have a husband or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
There is much wit in this light-hearted and energetic portrayal of wilful adolescence. It is largely homophonic, but there are some interesting excursions, especially during the 'gad' into town ('to get a husband, good or bad') and at the inevitable kissing!
Bateson These sweet and delightful lilies or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
This comes from the composer's First Set of English Madrigals. Bateson lived from 1570-1630 and was organist at Chester Cathedral and Christ Church Dublin, although his fame comes from his madrigal compositions. It is a tale of unrequited love, based on the Italian 'I bei ligustri e rose' by an unknown poet. As with many similar pieces it is not as long as it looks - there are two repeated sections ('Those sweet delightful lilies' and 'Ay me') in which the S1 and S2 parts are exchanged.
Farnaby Consture my meaning or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SATB
Little is known about Giles Farnaby (1563-1640). Some state he was not a professional musician - he trained as a joiner and largely described himself as such - but the quality of his music and an Oxford Bachelor of Music degree seem to suggest otherwise. His Canzonets of 1598 contained congratulatory poems from some of the greatest composers of the day and he is considered one of the greatest virginalists. Consture my meaning is a short gem of a piece, characterised by falling chromatic phrases which are its major challenges. You might like to listen to a recording ahead of the meeting!
The following recordings for each individual voice part have the one voice played louder than all the others, using a trumpet sound.
You should be able to open the score and then come back to this window and click on one of these and hear the sound at the same time as following the music.
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
Tomkins Fusca, in thy starry eyes or YouTube SSATB
The text is dedicated to 'Mr Phineas Fletcher' and has a link to one of his poetic characters. Fusca was the 'cruel dark lady' and the phrase 'Love in black still mourning dies' was originally written in 'black notes', which usually referred to sesquialtera or three notes in the time of two. The mock pathos of 'so many slain' leads quickly to the capricious rhythms of 'thou has loved none again' and the coquettish syncopations of the final fa las.
Byrd Ave verum corpus or YouTube SATB
William Byrd (1543-1623) was the greatest English composer of his era. His richly expressive Ave verum corpus was written for the feast of Corpus Christi and is often sung as a communion motet: its clear structure, perfectly controlled polyphony and intense conviction reach directly to the listener and make it an enduring favourite.
Farmer Fair nymphs, I heard one telling or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATBB
Another look (continuing from October) at this celebration of the Virgin Queen and her fair realm, from The Triumphs of Oriana, with plenty of lively imitation between the two soprano parts. Note the conversation between the lower three parts at the start, mellifluous quavers on 'beautify', running fauns, and a stillness around 'amazed'.
Vautor Mother I will have a husband or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
There is much wit in this light-hearted and energetic portrayal of wilful adolescence. It is largely homophonic, but there are some interesting excursions, especially during the 'gad' into town ('to get a husband, good or bad') and at the inevitable kissing!
Bateson These sweet and delightful lilies or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
This comes from the composer's First Set of English Madrigals. Bateson lived from 1570-1630 and was organist at Chester Cathedral and Christ Church Dublin, although his fame comes from his madrigal compositions. It is a tale of unrequited love, based on the Italian 'I bei ligustri e rose' by an unknown poet. As with many similar pieces it is not as long as it looks - there are two repeated sections ('Those sweet delightful lilies' and 'Ay me') in which the S1 and S2 parts are exchanged.
Farnaby Consture my meaning or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SATB
Little is known about Giles Farnaby (1563-1640). Some state he was not a professional musician - he trained as a joiner and largely described himself as such - but the quality of his music and an Oxford Bachelor of Music degree seem to suggest otherwise. His Canzonets of 1598 contained congratulatory poems from some of the greatest composers of the day and he is considered one of the greatest virginalists. Consture my meaning is a short gem of a piece, characterised by falling chromatic phrases which are its major challenges. You might like to listen to a recording ahead of the meeting!
The following recordings for each individual voice part have the one voice played louder than all the others, using a trumpet sound.
You should be able to open the score and then come back to this window and click on one of these and hear the sound at the same time as following the music.
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
Tomkins Fusca, in thy starry eyes or YouTube SSATB
The text is dedicated to 'Mr Phineas Fletcher' and has a link to one of his poetic characters. Fusca was the 'cruel dark lady' and the phrase 'Love in black still mourning dies' was originally written in 'black notes', which usually referred to sesquialtera or three notes in the time of two. The mock pathos of 'so many slain' leads quickly to the capricious rhythms of 'thou has loved none again' and the coquettish syncopations of the final fa las.
