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Born into an English musical family, organist and composer Christopher Gibbons (1615-1676) probably received early training from his famous father Orlando Gibbons. He sang in the choir of the Chapel Royal and went on to a distinguished career at Westminster Abbey and in the court of Charles II. With this showcase programme of motets, anthems, fantasias for strings, and organ voluntaries (all of which are receiving their first recording), Richard Egarr, the Academy of Ancient Music and the Choir of the AAM, aim to rescue the composer from unjust obscurity.
Christopher Gibbons: Not unto us, O Lord
Christopher Gibbons: Voluntarie in C
Christopher Gibbons: Above the Stars my Saviour dwells
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in d - 1 [Fantasy]
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in d - 2 Allman
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in d - 3 Galliard
Christopher Gibbons: Ah, my Soul, why so dismayed
Christopher Gibbons: Organ Voluntary in C
Christopher Gibbons: O bone Jesu
Christopher Gibbons: A Voluntary for ye Duble Organ in a
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasia
Christopher Gibbons: The Lord said unto my Lord
Christopher Gibbons: Verse for the Double Organn in d
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in F - 1 Pavan
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in F - 2 Allman
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in F - 3 Courante
Christopher Gibbons: Fantasy-suite in F - 4 Saraband
The Independent on Sunday
15th July 2012
“AAM's vocal consort is distinctly hoary but the instrumental playing – of two Fantasy-suites for violins, bass viol and organ, and a flamboyant selection of Organ Voluntaries – is divine.”
27th July 2012
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“We owe Egarr our thanks for this sampler – a selection of gently expressive choral anthems, organ works and instrumental fantasias that establish him as a far-from-negligible precursor of Blow and Purcell.”
28th July 2012
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“This Academy of Ancient Music selection...is a personal crusade by Richard Egarr and shows what we’ve been missing: harmonic twists and word-painting almost as daring as Gesualdo’s; lilting refrains that suggest Monteverdi; quicksilver mood changes...the string music is deftly and expressively played.”
26th July 2012
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“The instrumental pieces are wonderfully imaginative, but it's the choral works that stand out with their startling modulations and expressively charged vocal lines.”
October 2012
“Perhaps the most distinctive of all is the keyboard music...And it's here also that Egarr's musicianship is at its most compelling...the choir and vocalists give the impression of being a pick-up ensemble that hasn't quite gelled...Don't let that put you off, however: the monographic approach tends to expose composers of lesser substance but Gibbons junior passes the test admirably.”
September 2012
“Egarr has put together a rather charming musical portrait of Gibbons junior...with Frescobaldian flair, Egarr makes the most of the four substantial pieces he plays here...A chip off the old block, certainly, and no mere splinter either. A real discovery and an exceptionally rewarding recording.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Christopher Gibbons: Not unto us, O Lord
