Orlando Gibbons

Review: The choral music of Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) is unusual among his Tudor contemporaries for being all in English (as far as we know), and is of the very highest quality. This collection provides an excellent value and includes five examples of the work of this rare genius: Almighty and everlasting God; Drop, drop slow tears; Hosanna to the Son of David; Lift up your heads; O Clap Your Hands.

Songlist: Lift Up Your Heads, Drop Drop Slow Tears, O Clap Your Hands, Almighty And Everlasting God, Hosanna To The Son Of David

4263b | Songbook $7.95 | SATB divisi

Review: Orlando Gibbons began his association with Kings College, Cambridge as a chorister under the direction of his eldest brother from 1596 to 1598. His talent was such that by the age of 21 he was sharing the duties as an organist. In 1623 he accepted the additional appointment as organist at Westminster Abbey; but he died suddenly just 2 years later. He was not a prolific composer, but his works include many masterpieces some of which are on this disc. One of his most outstanding verse anthems is: "This is the record of John". It is recorded on this disc by the Kings College Choir featuring Michael Chance as the countertenor soloist; and few have ever performed this as well as Chance. His tone quality, his diction, his emotional investment in the music goes way beyond other renditions. Another bright spot in this group of pieces is the verse anthem: "See, see, the word is incarnate" featuring the choir with a group of outstanding soloists: Paul Smy (boy soprano); Chance, Jones (altos); Daniels, Rivers (tenors);Finley (bass).Some of the other selections are: anthems: "A Mighty and Everlasting God"; "Lift up your heads". The London Early Music group does much of the accompanying. The Choir with its boy sopranos and male altos are dictionally perfect and so enjoyable to hear.

Songlist: Almighty and Everlasting God, Magnificat, Voluntary, Nunc Dimittis, Fantasia for Double Organ, Magnificat, Now Shall the Praises of the Lord be Sung, Nunc Dimittis, This Is The Record of John, O Lord of Hosts, O Thou, The Central Orb, A Song of Joy Unto the Lord We Sing, See, see, The Word is Incarnate, Come Kiss Me With Those Lips of Thine, Lift Up Your Heads, Fantasia, Hosanna To The Son of David

8686c | 1 CD $15.95 Early Music CDs