Gibbons: Choral and Organ Music
Gibbons is often better represented in the hymn book than in the serious music of a service - and this CD helps demonstrate why that's a shame. With a mix of verse and full anthems, plus both sets of Mag and Nunc, and a smattering of organ music it gives a good picture of Gibbons' church output. If you like the sound of madrigals, you'll like some of the church music, but there are also works in here to rival more heavy duty compositions - Out of the deep, for example. Both evening services are fun - the contemplative verse settings of the second service and the livelier short service.
CDs by Orlando Gibbons
1583 - 1625
Gibbons, organist of the Chapel Royal and Westminster Abbey was pretty well the most highly regarded English musician during his short life (he died at 42). His output was not huge - only 32 anthems, ten of them verse anthems alternating solo and chorus work, and just two services. (He also wrote madrigals, keyboard and consort music). Most church musicians will be familiar with some of his great hymn tunes, but it is surprising how little Gibbon's anthems and services are now performed - they merit revisiting.
Gibbons: Choral and Organ Music
Gibbons is often better represented in the hymn book than in the serious music of a service - and this CD helps demonstrate why that's a shame. With a mix of verse and full anthems, plus both sets of Mag and Nunc, and a smattering of organ music it gives a good picture of Gibbons' church output. If you like the sound of madrigals, you'll like some of the church music, but there are also works in here to rival more heavy duty compositions - Out of the deep, for example. Both evening services are fun - the contemplative verse settings of the second service and the livelier short service.
