A monument of choral music at its inception, williamsons facsimile edition reproduces the sense of pride that was evidently a driving factor in the original commission and. Eton college ms 178 is one of the last collections of english catholic church music that survived the anglican reformation that. Eton choirbook first manuscript of music included in uk. The sixteen by john browne, plainsong, walter lambe, william cornysh, robert wylkynson, richard davy, harry christophers. Other articles where the eton choirbook is discussed. Movementssectionsmovtssecs, 64 pieces 93 originally. This series of much from the eton choirbook is now up to by my count five volumes, and i have enjoyed them all. It measures 23 12 by 17 inches, each stave being about threequarters of an inch high. 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. Celebrating the eton choirbook early music oxford academic. Choral music music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus. 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. Music from the eton choirbook, volume iv choir coro records.
Even in its incomplete state nearly half of its original 224 leaves have been lost, the eton choirbook is the undoubted queen of early tudor music manuscripts. This was the fourth time that gimell and the tallis scholars had received this award. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus, pitts 8. History, style, and analysis of music from the eton choirbook vincent c. Blackdowns early music projects presents selected works from the eton choirbook and other contemporary english music. Its significance derives from its size and quality. Music from the eton choirbook featuring the tallis scholars directed by peter phillips. Choral music music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus, pitts nx 2840. English output remains predominantly sacred during this era, and although it is nominally renaissance by date, retains many points in common with medieval idioms. 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.
Regali, albanus and sponsus amat sponsam, early english church music 53 london. 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 eton choirbook digital image archive of medieval music. The eton choirbook eton college library, ms 178 is one of the most important english musical codices surviving from the century before the reformation. 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. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Choirbooks were generally put on a stand with the smaller boy sopranos in front and the men in back.
Edward hygons is thought to possibly be responsible for the existence of this book, as well as the lambeth. Cornysh, william william cornysh 1465 october 1523 alternative namestransliterations. Facsimile editions of early polyphonic sources are usually selfrecommending, but the longawaited eton choirbook, the first fruits in hard copy of the digital image archive of medieval music diamm, is especially welcome. Comparable effects may be found in music written for special occasions, oratorios, verse anthems, and settings of the. Title ms 178 from eton college library, england composer various. Once the printing of music became easier and more commonplace, choirbooks fell out of favour, replaced. 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. 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. Contents of the eton choirbook sorted initially by the order in which. 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. The eton choirbook is a 500 year old manuscript of latin liturgical music from prereformation england, held, as you might expect, in the.
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. 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. The latest by stephen darlington features rarelyheard music from the eton choirbookpart 3 of a seriesincluding works by hampton, turges, and fawkyner. In a 1997 article on the early tudor court and the eton choirbook eton college library, ms 178, magnus williamson posed an important question. The book is large enough for the entire choir to read from one book. The eton choirbook was created between 1500 and 1505 and originally contained 93 works by 24 composers from the early tudor period. William cornysh the younger, william cornyshe, william cornish. Courts of heavenmusic from the eton choirbook, volume 3. Eton college ms 178 is one of the last collections of english catholic church music that survived the anglican reformation that came shortly thereafter. These recordings are also available on the specially priced double album the tallis scholars sing tudor church music 1. Music from the eton choirbook indiana public media. 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. Even in its incomplete state nearly half of its original 224 leaves have been lost, the eton choirbook is the undoubted queen of.
Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus naxos. Music from the eton choirbook tonus peregrinus, pitts. A choirbook is a large format manuscript used by choirs in churches or cathedrals during the middle ages and renaissance. Wylkynson jesus autemcredo this wellfilled disc offers a varied assortment of sacred music from the 15thcentury. Music from the eton choirbook cdgim036 john browne. The eton choirbook compiled 14901502 represents the height of the socalled florid style of english sacred polyphony. 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. This is a beautiful, fullsize color facsimile of the manuscript. 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. Had it perished, along with so many other less fortunate prereformation music manuscripts, our knowledge of a critical moment. Antico links to editions in anticos rcm series are given in the relevant pieces entries. The eton choirbook is a giant 500 yearold manuscript from eton college chapel, and one of the greatest surviving glories of prereformation england.
It originally contained music by 24 different composers. The eton choirbook contains an extraordinarily vast and diverse collection of english sacred music from the turn of. 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. The choirbook is a volume of manuscript music created between 1500 and 1504 for use in religious services in eton college chapel. The manuscript is also a work of consummate artistry, copied by an experienced scribe on large vellum leaves, and illuminated by a professional limner. Miraculously, the eton choirbook survived henry viiis ransacking of the monasteries. The works of browne are in the early folios of the choirbook, dating from between 1490 and 1500. 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. The eton choirbook is a richly illuminated manuscript collection of english sacred music, composed during the late 15th century. The eton choirbook decca eloquence 4840250 bw classical. The eton choirbook can be linked palaeographically, and functionally, with eton college, and its music reflects activities and liturgical priorities there from the 1440s. With a preface, tables, plates, bibliography, and discography.
Sacred music from the lambeth choirbook, recent researches in the music of the renaissance 69 madison, 1985. The awardwinning fullcolour facsimile edition of eton college library ms. 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. In some ways, this music may be viewed as a sort of.
The eton choirbook is a 500 year old manuscript of latin liturgical music from pre reformation england, held, as you might expect, in the. Music from the eton choirbook volume 5 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Nearly 70 minutes of choral bliss culminating in a magnificent version of robert wylkynsons 9 part salve regina. The ensemble tonus peregrinus has a new recording titled, music from the eton choirbook, released by naxos the eton choirbook is a 500 year old manuscript of latin liturgical music from pre. 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. Aside from the five pieces on this disc, there were originally ten others five are lost, two incomplete. It was one of very few collections of latin liturgical music to survive the reformation, and hence is an important source. 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. We are delighted to announce the release today of our latest recording of music from the eton choirbook, the gate of glory avie. 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. Brian wilson contents works from the eton choirbook are marked richard davy c. And, since i had that in a lower quality wma download 44. Paul van nevel has been recording early polyphony with the huelgas ensemble for almost 40 years, but has not previously done much english music apart from the occasional spem in alium. An interesting phenomenon in the history of music is.
T he extensive eton choirbook, compiled in the 15th century, contains the most highly elaborate, beautifully decorated gothic music in the english tradition. As the title indicates, these are pieces taken from the eton choirbook which has a fascinating history all its own, touched on briefly in the cd liner notes in the series, but also worth reading about in groves or on the internet. 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. This recording features the subtle, almost mystical music of john browne and won the gramophone early music award in 2005.