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.
Gibbons Almighty and everlasting God or YouTube SATB
This exquisite anthem shows mature polyphonic fluency and a sensitivity to the text, with each of the five short lines individually characterised. Listen for dissonances at 'our infirmities' and imitation at 'all our dangers and necessities' with D natural and G flat in the alto and bass parts adding to the tension. 'Stretch forth thy right hand' starts with a plaintively 'stretched' minim, appropriately the longest exposed note in the piece. The gaunt harmonies in bare fifths suggest the absence of the 'right hand': its appearance is reassured two bars later by completed triads and near-homophonic texture. The urgency intensifies with each repeated 'to help and defend us' before moving into a meditative closing 'Amen.'
2025 sees the 400th anniversary of the composer's death.
Dowland What poor astronomers or YouTube SATB
This delightful strophic partsong is from the composer's Third Book of Ayres. It criticizes men who mistake women's eyes for stars and love itself for an illusion, implying they are foolish for studying 'false astronomy' and pursuing love as a vain endeavour.
Cavendish Come, gentle swains
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
A delightful piece from the Triumphs of Oriana - the gentle music perfectly depicting the graceful text.
Morley In every place
or YouTube SATB
From Madrigals to 4 voyces (1594). A short but exquisite piece on the pains of love. Slow and delicate, note especially its plangent suspensions on 'and grief doth so torment me', a caressing motiv on 'gentle love' and a sweetly evocative 'O gentle love'.
Kirbye See what a maze of error
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
George Kirbye was probably a musical contact of John Wilbye. Kirbye's madrigals tend to be serious compositions and are characterised by minor modes and a careful attention to text. See what a maze of error is stylistically influenced by Marenzio, with false relations (eg S/A in bar 3), word-painting ('my love hath traced') and melismatic suspensions throughout.
Greaves Come away sweet love
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
A lovely, graceful piece, one of the four madrigals published in Songs of sundrie kinds in 1604. The verses are homophonic, the fa-las polyphonic and there is some delightful word-painting, especially on 'running in and out'!
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.
Gibbons Almighty and everlasting God or YouTube SATB
This exquisite anthem shows mature polyphonic fluency and a sensitivity to the text, with each of the five short lines individually characterised. Listen for dissonances at 'our infirmities' and imitation at 'all our dangers and necessities' with D natural and G flat in the alto and bass parts adding to the tension. 'Stretch forth thy right hand' starts with a plaintively 'stretched' minim, appropriately the longest exposed note in the piece. The gaunt harmonies in bare fifths suggest the absence of the 'right hand': its appearance is reassured two bars later by completed triads and near-homophonic texture. The urgency intensifies with each repeated 'to help and defend us' before moving into a meditative closing 'Amen.'
2025 sees the 400th anniversary of the composer's death.
Dowland What poor astronomers or YouTube SATB
This delightful strophic partsong is from the composer's Third Book of Ayres. It criticizes men who mistake women's eyes for stars and love itself for an illusion, implying they are foolish for studying 'false astronomy' and pursuing love as a vain endeavour.
Cavendish Come, gentle swains
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
A delightful piece from the Triumphs of Oriana - the gentle music perfectly depicting the graceful text.
Morley In every place
or YouTube SATB
From Madrigals to 4 voyces (1594). A short but exquisite piece on the pains of love. Slow and delicate, note especially its plangent suspensions on 'and grief doth so torment me', a caressing motiv on 'gentle love' and a sweetly evocative 'O gentle love'.
Kirbye See what a maze of error
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
George Kirbye was probably a musical contact of John Wilbye. Kirbye's madrigals tend to be serious compositions and are characterised by minor modes and a careful attention to text. See what a maze of error is stylistically influenced by Marenzio, with false relations (eg S/A in bar 3), word-painting ('my love hath traced') and melismatic suspensions throughout.
Greaves Come away sweet love
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
A lovely, graceful piece, one of the four madrigals published in Songs of sundrie kinds in 1604. The verses are homophonic, the fa-las polyphonic and there is some delightful word-painting, especially on 'running in and out'!
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.
Gibbons Almighty and everlasting God or YouTube SATB
This exquisite anthem shows mature polyphonic fluency and a sensitivity to the text, with each of the five short lines individually characterised. Listen for dissonances at 'our infirmities' and imitation at 'all our dangers and necessities' with D natural and G flat in the alto and bass parts adding to the tension. 'Stretch forth thy right hand' starts with a plaintively 'stretched' minim, appropriately the longest exposed note in the piece. The gaunt harmonies in bare fifths suggest the absence of the 'right hand': its appearance is reassured two bars later by completed triads and near-homophonic texture. The urgency intensifies with each repeated 'to help and defend us' before moving into a meditative closing 'Amen.'
2025 sees the 400th anniversary of the composer's death.
Dowland What poor astronomers or YouTube SATB
This delightful strophic partsong is from the composer's Third Book of Ayres. It criticizes men who mistake women's eyes for stars and love itself for an illusion, implying they are foolish for studying 'false astronomy' and pursuing love as a vain endeavour.
Cavendish Come, gentle swains
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
A delightful piece from the Triumphs of Oriana - the gentle music perfectly depicting the graceful text.
Morley In every place
or YouTube SATB
From Madrigals to 4 voyces (1594). A short but exquisite piece on the pains of love. Slow and delicate, note especially its plangent suspensions on 'and grief doth so torment me', a caressing motiv on 'gentle love' and a sweetly evocative 'O gentle love'.
Kirbye See what a maze of error
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
George Kirbye was probably a musical contact of John Wilbye. Kirbye's madrigals tend to be serious compositions and are characterised by minor modes and a careful attention to text. See what a maze of error is stylistically influenced by Marenzio, with false relations (eg S/A in bar 3), word-painting ('my love hath traced') and melismatic suspensions throughout.
Greaves Come away sweet love
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
A lovely, graceful piece, one of the four madrigals published in Songs of sundrie kinds in 1604. The verses are homophonic, the fa-las polyphonic and there is some delightful word-painting, especially on 'running in and out'!
