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‘The Virgin Queen’ Elizabeth I was the focal-point of all England; the subject, dedicatee and audience for much of the music composed and performed throughout her long and now legendary reign. The music on this album, chosen for a concert of words and music devised for the Sarum Consort by Deborah Mackay, includes sacred and secular pieces by composers from Byrd to Weelkes. The Sarum Consort here makes its Naxos début under founding musical director Andrew Mackay. “The Sarum Consort is a finely balanced and blended group… whose pacing and control of light and shade cannot be faulted.” Penguin Guide
Thomas Weelkes: As Vesta was, from Latmos hill descending
As Vesta was, from Latmos hill descending
Thomas Hunt: Hark! Did ye ever hear so sweet a singing?
Hark! Did ye ever hear so sweet a singing?
William Byrd: O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth the Queen
O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth the Queen
Orlando Gibbons: O clap your hands
O clap your hands
Variation on Robin is to the greenwood gone
Variation on Robin is to the greenwood gone
Alfonso Ferrabosco II: So beautie on the waters stood
So beautie on the waters stood
Philippe Rogier: Laboravi in gemitu meo
Laboravi in gemitu meo
Michael East: Hence stars, too dim of light
Hence stars, too dim of light
John Wilbye: Oft have I vowde
Oft have I vowde
John Dowland: Book of Songs, Book 3: Time stands still
Book of Songs, Book 3: Time stands still
Thomas Tomkins: Adue, ye citty prisoning towers
Adue, ye citty prisoning towers
John Wilbye: Yee that doe live in pleasures
Yee that doe live in pleasures
John Dowland: Dowland's Bells, P. 43a, "The Lady Rich's Galliard"
Dowland's Bells, P. 43a, "The Lady Rich's Galliard"
Thomas Morley: Hard by a cristall fountaine
Hard by a cristall fountaine
John Wilbye: Draw on sweet night
Draw on sweet night
June 2011
****
“The Sarum Consort and its director establish and stick limpet-like to the underlying beat in this album's choice of works for vocal ensemble, catching the sibilant energy and vigour of O clap your hands and unleashing a terrific account of Morley's Hard by a crystal fountain. I've heard other early music ensembles, including household names, make heavy weather of pieces that emerge here with lightness and clarity.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
As Vesta was, from Latmos hill descending