Thomas Wilson, born in Durham, was appointed organist at Peterhouse Chapel by John Cosin in 1635 at around age 17, and his work offers insight into a developing composer.
Historical Context
The Peterhouse Partbooks uniquely include a Latin-texted version of the Te Deum from Orlando Gibbons's Short Service, reflecting the high church worship in Peterhouse chapel.
Historical Context
The Peterhouse Partbooks are significant 16th and early 17th-century English sacred music manuscripts, with this recording featuring music from the later Caroline Partbooks, collected in the 1630s.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The Peterhouse Partbooks uniquely preserve familiar Anglican choral staples in unfamiliar guises, such as William Byrd's motet 'Ne irascaris, Domine' re-texted for Christmas as 'Behold, I bring you glad tidings'.
Compositional Technique
Partbooks, a popular format in the early modern period, contain music for only one individual voice part, encouraging singers to listen more intently to the surrounding music.
Historical Context
During the English Civil War in 1643, Puritan William Dowsing visited Peterhouse Chapel to remove 'idolatrous images', and the music manuscripts were hidden to protect them from destruction.
Compositional Technique
The practice of setting new words to existing music was common, as seen in Thomas Tallis's Latin motet 'Absterge Domine' adapted into English as 'O God be merciful unto us'.
You might also enjoy...
Choral Recital: Osnabruck Youth Choir - Weelkes, T. / Tallis, T. / Lassus, O. / Ludovico Da Vittoria / Gesualdo, C. / Lotti, A. / Palestrina, G.P.
Crucifixus. Chormusik zur Kar- und Osterliturgie
O Blessed Light
O Blessed Light
Treasures of the Spanish Renaissance
The Magic of Polyphony
Renaissance & Baroque Music
Sacred Music Of The Renaissance
Venetian Treasures
Taverner: Western Wynde Mass & Other Sacred Music
Praetorius and Italy
Renaissance - Music for Inner Peace
Victoria: O magnum mysterium & Ascendens Christus in altum
