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.
Byrd Sacerdotes domine or YouTube SATB
The offertory for Corpus Christi - 'Then did priests make offering of incense and loaves of finest wheat to God: and therefore shall they be holy to their Lord and shall not defile his most holy name. Alleluia'.
Morley Leave alas this tormenting or YouTube SSATB
Thomas Morley (1557-1602) was one of the foremost members of the English Madrigal School. This fine piece is from his 'Balletts to Five Voices' of 1595 and is based on Ferretti's canzonet Non mi date tormento. The relatively late entry of the soprano line enables the establishment of a rich sonority at the outset. Note some of the chromaticisms around words such as 'strange', 'alas' and 'tormenting'.
Tomkins Too much I once lamented or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
Another look at this lovely madrigal we started last month. It is full of suspensions, dissonance and harmony, with an enigmatic combination of text and music creating an interesting interpretive challenge. The opening text suggests a light-hearted piece, but the melancholy of the music demonstrates something different...
Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) was born in St David's, where his father was a vicar choral at the cathedral. He somehow managed to combine the posts of Organist at Worcester cathedral and the Chapel Royal for about 20 years, no mean feat in those days!
Wilbye Draw on sweet night or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATTB
John Wilbye (1574-1638) was a prolific composer of English madrigals, with a style characterized by delicate voice-writing, acute sensitivity to text, a seriousness of approach and a subtlety of musical ideas. In Draw on, sweet night, one of the longest and greatest of English madrigals, almost every phrase can be related to the opening 4-note motif in the sopranos. Despite almost no opportunity for word painting, the piece demonstrates a wistful melancholy and poised sense of quiet grief, through a subtle alternation of major and minor modes. There are echoes of Dowland's 'Flow my tears' and a sweet dissonance associated with the word 'sweet'.
East Hence stars or YouTube SSATB
Michael East (1580-1648) was a member of the choir of Ely Cathedral before moving to Lichfield as a lay clerk and choirmaster. Hence stars, too dim of light is from 'The Triumphs of Oriana', a collection of madrigals by 23 composers, commissioned by Thomas Morley in honour (possibly) of an ageing Queen Elizabeth and painting her as an eternally bountiful queen of a pastoral Arcadia. After a brief homophonic statement there follow several lines of nimble imitation, particularly effective on the wordy 'you dazzle but the sight, you teach to grope by night'.
Morley What saith my dainty darling or YouTube SSATB
Starting and ending the madrigalean part of this meeting with the great Thomas Morley, here is the composer in his more familiar secular guise. What saith my dainty darling is a short and delightful ballet, to the usual story of Arcadian love.
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.
Byrd Sacerdotes domine or YouTube SATB
The offertory for Corpus Christi - 'Then did priests make offering of incense and loaves of finest wheat to God: and therefore shall they be holy to their Lord and shall not defile his most holy name. Alleluia'.
Morley Leave alas this tormenting or YouTube SSATB
Thomas Morley (1557-1602) was one of the foremost members of the English Madrigal School. This fine piece is from his 'Balletts to Five Voices' of 1595 and is based on Ferretti's canzonet Non mi date tormento. The relatively late entry of the soprano line enables the establishment of a rich sonority at the outset. Note some of the chromaticisms around words such as 'strange', 'alas' and 'tormenting'.
Tomkins Too much I once lamented or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
Another look at this lovely madrigal we started last month. It is full of suspensions, dissonance and harmony, with an enigmatic combination of text and music creating an interesting interpretive challenge. The opening text suggests a light-hearted piece, but the melancholy of the music demonstrates something different...
Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) was born in St David's, where his father was a vicar choral at the cathedral. He somehow managed to combine the posts of Organist at Worcester cathedral and the Chapel Royal for about 20 years, no mean feat in those days!
Wilbye Draw on sweet night or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATTB
John Wilbye (1574-1638) was a prolific composer of English madrigals, with a style characterized by delicate voice-writing, acute sensitivity to text, a seriousness of approach and a subtlety of musical ideas. In Draw on, sweet night, one of the longest and greatest of English madrigals, almost every phrase can be related to the opening 4-note motif in the sopranos. Despite almost no opportunity for word painting, the piece demonstrates a wistful melancholy and poised sense of quiet grief, through a subtle alternation of major and minor modes. There are echoes of Dowland's 'Flow my tears' and a sweet dissonance associated with the word 'sweet'.
East Hence stars or YouTube SSATB
Michael East (1580-1648) was a member of the choir of Ely Cathedral before moving to Lichfield as a lay clerk and choirmaster. Hence stars, too dim of light is from 'The Triumphs of Oriana', a collection of madrigals by 23 composers, commissioned by Thomas Morley in honour (possibly) of an ageing Queen Elizabeth and painting her as an eternally bountiful queen of a pastoral Arcadia. After a brief homophonic statement there follow several lines of nimble imitation, particularly effective on the wordy 'you dazzle but the sight, you teach to grope by night'.
Morley What saith my dainty darling or YouTube SSATB
Starting and ending the madrigalean part of this meeting with the great Thomas Morley, here is the composer in his more familiar secular guise. What saith my dainty darling is a short and delightful ballet, to the usual story of Arcadian love.
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.
Byrd Sacerdotes domine or YouTube SATB
The offertory for Corpus Christi - 'Then did priests make offering of incense and loaves of finest wheat to God: and therefore shall they be holy to their Lord and shall not defile his most holy name. Alleluia'.
Morley Leave alas this tormenting or YouTube SSATB
Thomas Morley (1557-1602) was one of the foremost members of the English Madrigal School. This fine piece is from his 'Balletts to Five Voices' of 1595 and is based on Ferretti's canzonet Non mi date tormento. The relatively late entry of the soprano line enables the establishment of a rich sonority at the outset. Note some of the chromaticisms around words such as 'strange', 'alas' and 'tormenting'.
Tomkins Too much I once lamented or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
Another look at this lovely madrigal we started last month. It is full of suspensions, dissonance and harmony, with an enigmatic combination of text and music creating an interesting interpretive challenge. The opening text suggests a light-hearted piece, but the melancholy of the music demonstrates something different...
Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) was born in St David's, where his father was a vicar choral at the cathedral. He somehow managed to combine the posts of Organist at Worcester cathedral and the Chapel Royal for about 20 years, no mean feat in those days!
Wilbye Draw on sweet night or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATTB
John Wilbye (1574-1638) was a prolific composer of English madrigals, with a style characterized by delicate voice-writing, acute sensitivity to text, a seriousness of approach and a subtlety of musical ideas. In Draw on, sweet night, one of the longest and greatest of English madrigals, almost every phrase can be related to the opening 4-note motif in the sopranos. Despite almost no opportunity for word painting, the piece demonstrates a wistful melancholy and poised sense of quiet grief, through a subtle alternation of major and minor modes. There are echoes of Dowland's 'Flow my tears' and a sweet dissonance associated with the word 'sweet'.
East Hence stars or YouTube SSATB
Michael East (1580-1648) was a member of the choir of Ely Cathedral before moving to Lichfield as a lay clerk and choirmaster. Hence stars, too dim of light is from 'The Triumphs of Oriana', a collection of madrigals by 23 composers, commissioned by Thomas Morley in honour (possibly) of an ageing Queen Elizabeth and painting her as an eternally bountiful queen of a pastoral Arcadia. After a brief homophonic statement there follow several lines of nimble imitation, particularly effective on the wordy 'you dazzle but the sight, you teach to grope by night'.
Morley What saith my dainty darling or YouTube SSATB
Starting and ending the madrigalean part of this meeting with the great Thomas Morley, here is the composer in his more familiar secular guise. What saith my dainty darling is a short and delightful ballet, to the usual story of Arcadian love.
