Weelkes was a 'Batchelar of Musicke, and Organest of the Cathedral Church of Chichester' and may have been a 'Gentleman Extraordinary' (a supernumerary member) of the royal household chapel choir.
Recording & Production
At the end of some tracks, the distinctive sound of the hand-operated organ bellows can be heard.
Compositional Technique
Weelkes habitually paired an anthem and a service, similar to how Catholic continental composers would pair a motet and a mass.
Compositional Technique
Weelkes's music features thematic connections, such as the opening of 'Alleluia' appearing in 'O Lord, arise' and the 'Medio chori Magnificat'.
Compositional Technique
Weelkes's anthems, such as 'Give the king thy judgements, O God' and 'O Lord, grant the king a long life', repeatedly touch on monarchical subjects.
Composer Biography
Thomas Weelkes, the composer, styled himself 'gentleman' in his will, indicating well-to-do parentage, possibly that of the Sussex clergyman John Weeke.
Instruments
The St Teilo organ used in this recording was designed and constructed by Goetze and Gwynn based on early sixteenth-century models.
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