Eton Choirbook I

The Rose & the Ostrich Feather

Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume I
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1314
Coro 16026

Contents:

1. Fayrfax: Magnificat - Regale
2. Richard Hygons: Salve Regina
3. Edmund Turges: From stormy windes
4. John Browne: Stabat iuxta Christi crucem
5. Anon: This day day dawes
6. Cornysh: Salve Regina

Playing time: 63'

Recording date: May 1990

The Eton Choirbook (compiled 1490-1502) represents the height of the so-called "florid" style of English sacred polyphony. English output remains predominantly sacred during this era, and although it is nominally Renaissance by date, retains many points in common with medieval idioms. In some ways, this music may be viewed as a sort of "decorated chant" in which the polyphony serves to enhance the main line. Such a remark is more true of some pieces than others, but there is a clear preference for the upper voice in these textures.

The remaining volumes of this series:

The Crown of Thorns

Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume II
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1316

The Pillars of Eternity

Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume III
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1342

The Flower of All Virginity

Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume IV
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1395

The Voices of Angels

Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume V
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1462

A packaging of these:

Voice of Eternity

Music of the Eton Choirbook
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Coro 16040 (5 CDs)

Recordings devoted to important specific composers from this era, John Browne (c.1450-c.1498), William Cornysh (c.1465-1523) and Robert Fayrfax (1464-1521):

Browne: Music from the Eton Choirbook

Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 036

William Cornysh: Stabat Mater, etc.

Tallis Scholars - Peter Philips
Gimell 454 914

Fayrfax: Missa O quam glorifica / Ave Dei patris filia

The Cardinall's Musick - Andrew Carwood / David Skinner
AS&V Gaudeamus 142

Some other recordings featuring this repertory:

Music from the Eton Choirbook

Tonus Peregrinus - Antony Pitts
Naxos 8.572840

Taverner / Browne / Carver

Masterworks from late-medieval England and Scotland
Taverner Choir - Andrew Parrott
EMI Reflexe 49661

My Fayre Ladye

Images of Women in Medieval England
Lionheart
Nimbus 5512

Stabat mater

Late Medieval motets of Penitence & Passion
Cantores - David Allinson
AS&V "Quicksilva" 6234

Finally, some related recordings by the present ensemble:

Stabat Mater

Music from the Eton Choirbook
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Meridian 84175

Music from Magdalen

Davy / Mason / Sheppard
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1511

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