Henry's Music: Motets from a Royal Choirbook (2009)

It's well known that King Henry VIII was a composer, but he's generally represented by one or two pieces on collections of English Renaissance music rather than being treated as the central figure in a flourishing artistic culture. Exactly how much music he wrote is a matter of dispute, but this disc by the English vocal group Alamire and wind consort QuintEssential, with harpist Andrew Lawrence-King, presents a generous sampling of nine vocal and instrumental pieces (although Pastime with Good Company, recorded by ... Read More

It's well known that King Henry VIII was a composer, but he's generally represented by one or two pieces on collections of English Renaissance music rather than being treated as the central figure in a flourishing artistic culture. Exactly how much music he wrote is a matter of dispute, but this disc by the English vocal group Alamire and wind consort QuintEssential, with harpist Andrew Lawrence-King, presents a generous sampling of nine vocal and instrumental pieces (although Pastime with Good Company, recorded by musicians as recent as Jethro Tull, is omitted), along with music written for Henry by other composers. These are perhaps the most interesting and unusual, especially the group of six Motets from a Royal Choirbook (tracks 7-12). Four of these are the product of a composer known only as Sampson, and, more curiously still, thought to be German. Check out the canonic Salve radix (track 7), whose lovely score is reproduced on the back of the booklet; the spiral shape of the score is replicated... Read Less

• All

• All Copies (0)
• Choose Release (1)

Currently there are no copies available. However, our inventory changes frequently. Please check back soon or try Book Fetch.

2009, Obsidian Records UPC: 658592070521 CD See All