The choir of christchurch cathedral, oxford, have just released a new album from their exploration of the eton choirbook. Music from the eton choirbook featuring the tallis scholars directed by peter phillips. Ulysse chevalier, repertorium hymnologicum louvain, 1892. The works of browne are in the early folios of the choirbook, dating from between 1490 and 1500. He has three complete pieces and one incomplete piece in the eton choirbook, and one incomplete piece in a york manuscript. To participate in the discussions on catholic church music, sign in or register as a forum member, the forum is a project of the church music association of america. All of the music on this program is from the recording courts of heavenmusic from the eton choirbook, volume 3 with the choir of christ church cathedral, oxford directed by. William horwood, also horewud, was an english polyphonic vocal composer in the latemedieval period c. Cheung n interesting phenomenon in the history of music is that many pieces now regarded as great compositions had suffered long periods of neglect before they began to receive the attention they deserve. One of the most iconic of music manuscripts, the eton choirbook is of unique importance, both in its own right as a cultural artefact and as a source of english choral polyphony composed during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries had it perished, along with so many other less fortunate prereformation music manuscripts, our knowledge of a critical moment in the history of. The eton choirbook motets demand similar treatment since red and black text is used to differentiate between those sections intended for soloists and those for full choir. The eton choirbook is a richly illuminated manuscript collection of english sacred music, composed during the late 15th century. Fiona kisby, the royal household chapel in early tudor london, 14851547, phd thesis, london university, 1996.
Even in its incomplete state nearly half of its original 224 leaves have been lost, the eton choirbook is the undoubted queen of. The eton choirbook contains an extraordinarily vast and diverse collection of english sacred music from the turn of the 16 th century and this cd features music by some of its more famous composers, robert fayrfax, walter lambe and john browne, alongside less familiar names, hugo kellyk and robert hacomplaynt. This collection of music from the eton choirbook, the vast collection of english sacred music from the early renaissance, is the third in an acclaimed series by stephen darlington and the choir of christ church cathedral, oxford which has proved a thrilling encounter with the remarkable world of the liturgy of eton college chapel in the late. The manuscript is also a work of consummate artistry, copied by an experienced scribe on large vellum leaves, and illuminated by a professional limner. This recording features the earliest polyphonic passion by a named composer, two heartrending motets for five and six voices, two thrilling settings of the magnificat, and an extraordinary canon. Listen to your favorite songs from more divine than human music from the eton choirbook by the choir of christ church cathedral, oxford now. An interesting phenomenon in the history of music is that many.
More divine than human music from the eton choirbook, an album by christ church cathedral choir, oxford, stephen darlington on spotify we and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. This recording features the earliest polyphonic passion by a named composer, two heartrending motets for five and six voices, two thrilling settings of the magnificat, and an extraordinary. All the music on this recording originate from the earlier folios of the eton choirbook, dating from about 1490 to 1500, whose index reveals that. Edward hygons is thought to possibly be responsible for the existence of this book, as well as the lambeth. The eton choirbook compiled 14901502 represents the height of the socalled florid style of english sacred polyphony.
Summary biographies are given for each composer, except where new information amplifies the biographical entries in the revised new grove dictionary, the oxford dictionary of national biography and other reference works. In some ways, this music may be viewed as a sort of. The only reason for the survival of any of brownes music is due to the eton choirbook, which lists 93 works by different composers copied at the turn of the 16th century for use at eton college. Comparable effects may be found in music written for special occasions, oratorios, verse anthems, and settings of the. Eton college ms 178 is one of the last collections of english catholic church music that survived the anglican reformation that came shortly thereafter. By any other name, john browne would surely be recognised as one of the very greatest english composers. Music from the eton choirbook cdgim036 john browne. The bodleian library also has two complete folios from a choirbook of c. Contents of the eton choirbook sorted initially by the order in which. Given the collections focus on devotion to the blessed virgin, its survival of the henrician reformation of the 1530s is a minor miracle. Aside from the five pieces on this disc, there were originally ten others five are lost, two incomplete. The composers and their pieces are listed alphabetically below. Music from the eton choirbook choir of christ church cathedral.
The music collected there often displays a dense, unbroken flow of unaccompanied choral polyphony that is likely to appeal to lovers of pure sound to those who revel in musics. Jun 29, 2009 listen to your favorite songs from more divine than human music from the eton choirbook by the choir of christ church cathedral, oxford now. Cheung n interesting phenomenon in the history of music is that many pieces now regarded as great compositions had suffered long periods of neglect before. O gemma clarissima, the choirs of st catharines college, cambridge. The eton choirbook, one of only three such books along with the lambeth choirbook and the caius choirbook to survive from prereformation england, is a large manuscript collection of marian antiphons, magnificat settings and other motets assembled for, and still held at, eton college.
Music from the eton choirbook choir of christ church. Courts of heavenmusic from the eton choirbook, volume 3. Had it perished, along with so many other less fortunate prereformation music manuscripts, our knowledge of a critical moment. More divine than human music from the eton choirbook by the. Title ms 178 from eton college library, england composer various. One of the most famous liturgical manuscripts in england, the eton choirbook is a manuscript dating from the very early 16th century. We wouldnt have any of brownes music were it not for the eton choirbook, which lists 93 works by different composers copied at the turn of the 16th century for use at eton college. Eton choirbook first manuscript of music included in uk. For example his o domine caeli terraequae creator, bars 2630 and 5661 eton choirbook, ii, pp.
Domine caeli terraeque creator, soon turns into a plea. English output remains predominantly sacred during this era, and although it is nominally renaissance by date, retains many points in common with medieval idioms. Jun 08, 20 t he extensive eton choirbook, compiled in the 15th century, contains the most highly elaborate, beautifully decorated gothic music in the english tradition. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus, pitts. Through its survival at the site for which it was made the choirbook gives us access to a form of worship and a musical tradition that was violently disrupted and almost obliterated by the reformation. Choirs of angels music from the eton choirbook vol 2. Jul 16, 2019 eton choirbook pdf nov 26, the eton choirbook, one of only three such books along with the lambeth choirbook and the caius choirbook to survive from.
Other articles where the eton choirbook is discussed. Thanks to its survival, the sacred music of the english fifteenthcentury is still with us, conjuring up the atmosphere and spirit of the glorious cathedrals for which it was written. Catherine hocking, cantus firmus procedures in the eton choirbook, phd thesis, university of cambridge, 1995. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus the. Nearly 70 minutes of choral bliss culminating in a magnificent version of robert wylkynsons 9 part salve regina. One of the most iconic of music manuscripts, the eton choirbook is of unique importance, both in its own right as a cultural artefact and as a source of english choral polyphony composed during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The eton choirbook digital image archive of medieval music. It is one of the best examples of early continue reading. The latest by stephen darlington features rarelyheard music from the eton choirbookpart 3 of a seriesincluding works by hampton, turges, and fawkyner. It was one of very few collections of latin liturgical music to survive the reformation, and hence is an important source. Salve jesu mater vera, bars 1878 eton choirbook, ii, p. In the early to mid1990s, they returned to that source for collins classics, in a more thorough survey, which. The sixteen made a recommendable recorded foray into this repertoire.
Wylkynson jesus autemcredo this wellfilled disc offers a varied assortment of sacred music from the 15thcentury. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus, pitts the eton choirbook is a giant 500 yearold manuscript from eton college chapel, and one of the greatest surviving glories of prereformation england. Ulysse chevalier, repertorium hymnologicum louvain, 18921921 sandon 1976. It is one of the best examples of early english renaissance sacred music that we have today. Nov 29, 2017 the choir of christchurch cathedral, oxford, have just released a new album from their exploration of the eton choirbook. The choirbook is a volume of manuscript music created between 1500 and 1504 for use in religious services in eton college chapel. Here is an example of a marian anphon which has been customised to honour st catharine, by the embedding deep within. Christophers, has recorded nineteen pieces from the eton choirbook. The eton choirbook is a giant 500 yearold manuscript from eton college chapel, and one of the greatest surviving glories of prereformation england. The eton college choirbook is one of prereformation englands greatest glories. History, style, and analysis of music from the eton choirbook vincent c. Music from the eton choirbook the tallis scholars on allmusic 2005. The leaves contain fragments of the gloria and credo of a sixpart mass which seems to be based on the veni creator melody or the identical salvator mundi transposed down a second. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus naxos.
Even more remarkably, the lp was advertised as eton choirbook 1 and, indeed. Jun 03, 2019 nov 26, the eton choirbook, one of only three such books along with the lambeth choirbook and the caius choirbook to survive from. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus, pitts 8. Apr 12, 2005 music of the late fifteenth century, however, was another story, a representative chapter of which was provided by an english manuscript known as the eton choirbook. The gate of glory, the fifth volume in the critically acclaimed exploration of music from the eton choirbook by the choir of christ church cathedral, oxford and director stephen darlington, includes the world premiere recording of walter lambes gaude flore virginali, and a striking range of styles from harmony and counterpoint to elegance and simplicity. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet.
The awardwinning fullcolour facsimile edition of eton college library ms. The large and handsome volume played an integral part in the worship of the chapel of the kings college of our lady of eton beside windsor, resting open on a lectern whilst the choir stood. The sixteen by richard davy, john browne, william cornysh, sheryngham, harry christophers. Choirbook, plus some secular pieces, 16bit only, again for. The contents range from the muchrecorded browne work its seventh version to the first recording of the kellyk piece.
This is a beautiful, fullsize color facsimile of the manuscript. We are delighted to announce the release today of our latest recording of music from the eton choirbook, the gate of glory avie. The pillars of eternitymusic from the eton choirbook volume iii, o domine caeli terraeque creator. The naive complexity of the polyphony here reminds one of how languages tend to get simpler by some structural measures e. The leaves contain fragments of the gloria and credo of a sixpart mass which seems to be based on the veni creator melody or the identical salvator mundi. Miraculously, the eton choirbook survived henry viiis ransacking of the monasteries. With a preface, tables, plates, bibliography, and discography. Eton choirbook discography the plainsong and medieval music.
The eton choirbook eton ms 178 is a volume of manuscript music created between 1500 and 1504 for use in religious services in eton college chapel. The eton choirbook decca eloquence 4840250 bw classical. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus details written by michael schwartz category. The eton choirbook contains an extraordinarily vast and diverse collection of english sacred music from the turn of. It originally contained music by 24 different composers. More divine than human music from the eton choirbook by. In 1470, he was a singer at lincoln cathedral, in 1476, he was a vicar choral at lincoln, and from 1477 until 1484, he was the cathedral choirmaster.
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