The English verse anthem with instrumental consort, from the chaotic Pre-Reformation years, is a sorely neglected genre that even those who have studied the early Baroque may well have missed. It's generally sober and inward, a companion to the Italian sacred cantata of the 17th century and its distinctive ramifications in other countries, such as the sacred chamber music of Buxtehude. This is the second volume of English verse anthems by the Magdalena Consort, accompanied, as on Vol. 1, by the string group Fretwork and the ...
Read More
The English verse anthem with instrumental consort, from the chaotic Pre-Reformation years, is a sorely neglected genre that even those who have studied the early Baroque may well have missed. It's generally sober and inward, a companion to the Italian sacred cantata of the 17th century and its distinctive ramifications in other countries, such as the sacred chamber music of Buxtehude. This is the second volume of English verse anthems by the Magdalena Consort, accompanied, as on Vol. 1, by the string group Fretwork and the venerable His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts. The first volume was devoted entirely to the music of Orlando Gibbons, and though it contains some beautiful pieces, those curious about the genre might choose Vol. 2 instead. It features pieces by Byrd, John Bull, a group of lesser-known composers, and the pieces and their instrumental configurations. Most of the pieces are somber, but the genre has room for joyous and triumphal works like the final O God of God, by the sparsely known...
Read Less
