Search - Orlando Gibbons, Blaze, Varcoe :: Anthems by Orlando Gibbons / Hill, Winchester Cathedral Choir

A voice teacher and early music fanI

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 01/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A GOOD REPRESENTATION OF GIBBONS' WORKS.



Gibbon's church music covers two broad fields. On the one hand there are settings of texts for the 'ordinary' offices. In contrast, there are the anthems which themselves divide into full and 'verse' types.



The full anthem is self-explanatory: it is a setting for the full choir. Examples on this disc are: 'Hosanna to the Son of David'-'O Lord in thy wrath rebuke me not' and O 'O Clap Your Hands'.



The verse anthem intersperses solos for one or more voices, usually from the beginning of a work, with short choral passages which repeat or reinforce the preceding solo material. The verse anthems probably have their origin in the consort song, a secular solo form, accompanied by viols. Whereas the consort song employed viols, in church the only accompaniment was the organ. Such music is the main focus of this recording.



Only 3 of Gibbon's verse anthems are scored for a single soloist. Two of them included here are:'This is the record of John' and 'Behold, thou hast made my days'. The solo voice is in the alto, the most commonly used voice part, and the voice most frequently divided in the 5 part textures of the choruses. The variety pf texture and compositional devices in the verse anthems show Gibbons at his best.



I am only giving this 4 stars instead of 5 because I was constantly trying to understand the words at least half of the time. However, there is great beauty in the sound of the voices including that of the soloists which include Robin Blaze whose voice is very well suited to this kind of music. And I prefer the all male choir with boy sopranos and countertenors. Orlando Gibbons preferred the alto voice in his solo writing and it's very much in evidence thruout this disc; pleasantly so!



The selection of anthems is excellent and in the two well-known verse anthems :"This Is The Record of John" and "Behold Thou Hast Made My Days" Robin Blaze is singing the solo parts. There are many little duets and trios on this disc that are very enjoyable. I find myself listening to it frequently."