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.
Anon Rejoice in the Lord alway or YouTube SATB
This lovely anthem was for many years attributed to John Redford, who died in 1547, but more recently that has been questioned and it is usually listed as anonymous. The text is
from Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 to 7, part of a reading for the fourth Sunday in Advent.
Byrd Though Amaryllis dance in green or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SAATB
This pastoral comes from the 1588 collection of adapted consort songs Psalmes, Sonets and Songs of Sadnes and Pietie and is a cautionary tale of love and marriage set as a riotous
dance to a light but intricate five-part texture. Despite temptation, the poet resolves at the end of each verse 'chill love no more'. Byrd showed little interest in the madrigal but
succeeded in cultivating secular vocal music in an impressive variety of forms; his pupil, Thomas Morley, championed the form.
Morley O amica mea
or YouTube (first 2'50" only) SSATB
O amica mea is a somewhat-neglected, beautifully-sustained and sophisticated love song with an almost comical text from the Song of Songs: O my love, your hair is like a flock of
goats, moving down mount Gilead. It was originally published without explanation at the end of Morley's theoretical manual A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practiall Musicke
(1597) - a lesson in how to write such powerful polyphony, perhaps?
Campion Never weather-beaten sail
or YouTube SATB
This gem of a piece is a spiritual plea for rest and peace.
Hilton Fair Oriana beauty's queen
or YouTube SSATB
Michael East (1580-1648) was best known for his five-part fantasias for viols. He was a member of the choir of Ely Cathedral before moving to Lichfield as a lay clerk and choirmaster. This is from The Triumphs of Oriana, Thomas Morley's 1601 anthology in praise of (it is thought) Queen Elizabeth. It is an intricate and delightful short piece, with the usual
pastoral references to fauns and shepherds and some lovely depiction of their dances.
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. Look out for the mock pathos of 'so many slain', the capricious 'thou has loved none again'
and the coquettish fa-las. It is a particularly fine five-part ballet, so Fletcher must have been held in some esteem. It is also an early example of Augenmusik, or 'eye music', which has
distinctive features that are unnoticeable by the listener - in this case, the words 'Love in black' are set to black notes (sesquialtera, or 3 in the time of 2). It's an interesting concept and there's a whole Wikipedia page on it should you wish to read more!
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.
Anon Rejoice in the Lord alway or YouTube SATB
This lovely anthem was for many years attributed to John Redford, who died in 1547, but more recently that has been questioned and it is usually listed as anonymous. The text is
from Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 to 7, part of a reading for the fourth Sunday in Advent.
Byrd Though Amaryllis dance in green or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SAATB
This pastoral comes from the 1588 collection of adapted consort songs Psalmes, Sonets and Songs of Sadnes and Pietie and is a cautionary tale of love and marriage set as a riotous
dance to a light but intricate five-part texture. Despite temptation, the poet resolves at the end of each verse 'chill love no more'. Byrd showed little interest in the madrigal but
succeeded in cultivating secular vocal music in an impressive variety of forms; his pupil, Thomas Morley, championed the form.
Morley O amica mea
or YouTube (first 2'50" only) SSATB
O amica mea is a somewhat-neglected, beautifully-sustained and sophisticated love song with an almost comical text from the Song of Songs: O my love, your hair is like a flock of
goats, moving down mount Gilead. It was originally published without explanation at the end of Morley's theoretical manual A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practiall Musicke
(1597) - a lesson in how to write such powerful polyphony, perhaps?
Campion Never weather-beaten sail
or YouTube SATB
This gem of a piece is a spiritual plea for rest and peace.
Hilton Fair Oriana beauty's queen
or YouTube SSATB
Michael East (1580-1648) was best known for his five-part fantasias for viols. He was a member of the choir of Ely Cathedral before moving to Lichfield as a lay clerk and choirmaster. This is from The Triumphs of Oriana, Thomas Morley's 1601 anthology in praise of (it is thought) Queen Elizabeth. It is an intricate and delightful short piece, with the usual
pastoral references to fauns and shepherds and some lovely depiction of their dances.
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. Look out for the mock pathos of 'so many slain', the capricious 'thou has loved none again'
and the coquettish fa-las. It is a particularly fine five-part ballet, so Fletcher must have been held in some esteem. It is also an early example of Augenmusik, or 'eye music', which has
distinctive features that are unnoticeable by the listener - in this case, the words 'Love in black' are set to black notes (sesquialtera, or 3 in the time of 2). It's an interesting concept and there's a whole Wikipedia page on it should you wish to read more!
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.
Anon Rejoice in the Lord alway or YouTube SATB
This lovely anthem was for many years attributed to John Redford, who died in 1547, but more recently that has been questioned and it is usually listed as anonymous. The text is
from Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 to 7, part of a reading for the fourth Sunday in Advent.
Byrd Though Amaryllis dance in green or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SAATB
This pastoral comes from the 1588 collection of adapted consort songs Psalmes, Sonets and Songs of Sadnes and Pietie and is a cautionary tale of love and marriage set as a riotous
dance to a light but intricate five-part texture. Despite temptation, the poet resolves at the end of each verse 'chill love no more'. Byrd showed little interest in the madrigal but
succeeded in cultivating secular vocal music in an impressive variety of forms; his pupil, Thomas Morley, championed the form.
Morley O amica mea
or YouTube (first 2'50" only) SSATB
O amica mea is a somewhat-neglected, beautifully-sustained and sophisticated love song with an almost comical text from the Song of Songs: O my love, your hair is like a flock of
goats, moving down mount Gilead. It was originally published without explanation at the end of Morley's theoretical manual A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practiall Musicke
(1597) - a lesson in how to write such powerful polyphony, perhaps?
Campion Never weather-beaten sail
or YouTube SATB
This gem of a piece is a spiritual plea for rest and peace.
Hilton Fair Oriana beauty's queen
or YouTube SSATB
Michael East (1580-1648) was best known for his five-part fantasias for viols. He was a member of the choir of Ely Cathedral before moving to Lichfield as a lay clerk and choirmaster. This is from The Triumphs of Oriana, Thomas Morley's 1601 anthology in praise of (it is thought) Queen Elizabeth. It is an intricate and delightful short piece, with the usual
pastoral references to fauns and shepherds and some lovely depiction of their dances.
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. Look out for the mock pathos of 'so many slain', the capricious 'thou has loved none again'
and the coquettish fa-las. It is a particularly fine five-part ballet, so Fletcher must have been held in some esteem. It is also an early example of Augenmusik, or 'eye music', which has
distinctive features that are unnoticeable by the listener - in this case, the words 'Love in black' are set to black notes (sesquialtera, or 3 in the time of 2). It's an interesting concept and there's a whole Wikipedia page on it should you wish to read more!
