English composer Orlando Gibbons produced a considerable body of work in his brief period of maturity, in the second decade of the seventeenth century, largely in service of the Church of England, and of King James I. A number of his anthems served double duty; their exaltation of the deity was a theme James would appropriate as his own, having the anthems performed at state occasions in his own honor, more than hinting at his personal sense of divinity. The Choir of Men and Boys of Winchester Cathedral, conducted by David ...
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English composer Orlando Gibbons produced a considerable body of work in his brief period of maturity, in the second decade of the seventeenth century, largely in service of the Church of England, and of King James I. A number of his anthems served double duty; their exaltation of the deity was a theme James would appropriate as his own, having the anthems performed at state occasions in his own honor, more than hinting at his personal sense of divinity. The Choir of Men and Boys of Winchester Cathedral, conducted by David Hill, performs a selection of Gibbons' anthems, which are strong testimony to his mastery of the form. The verse anthems include passages for solo voices, performed here by Robin Blaze, credited as a countertenor, but more accurately a male alto, and baritone Stephen Varcoe, as well as a number of very fine uncredited choristers. The choir is notable for its unforced, unmannered delivery; this is a prime example of the best of Cathedral choir singing. Its performance is thoroughly...
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