Search - Thomas Weelkes, Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Tomkins :: I Heard a Voice: The music of the golden age

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 05/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE BRITISH CHORAL TRADITION MARCHES ON!!

King's College Choir are one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great British Choral Tradition, and this is reflected in their impressive discography. This recording, in which the choir are joined by the viol ensemble 'Fretwork', widens their representation and is a beautiful addition to the choir repertoire.



Fretwork is a consort of viols based in the UK. Formed in 1986, the group consists of six players and is considered to be one of the finest groups performing music for viol consort.



This disc features a stirring selection of anthems from the Tudor Times, show-casing three of the period's most distinguished composers. It includes the much recorded anthem by Gibbons 'This is the record of John' that was probably one of the most popular anthems of that era judging by the number of manuscripts that contain it. In this recording it is sung by a tenor voice, but most of the time it is recorded by a male alto (my preference). Gibbons was himself a chorister at King's College under the direction of his eldest brother from 1596 to 1598.



There are two exuberant versions of 'Hosanna to the Son of David' by Thomas Weelkes and Orlando Gibbons and a splendid "Alleluia, I Heard A Voice" by Weelkes. I was personally attracted to the beautiful male alto solo 'Most Mighty and all-knowing Lord' by Weelkes sung extremely well by a new British countertenor David Allsopp; just wonderful to hear!



The entire recording is well sung as one would expect from this

Choir, and the addition of the very skillful group Fretwork is the icing on the cake!!!!"

Jacobean Choral Music CD

Timothy Mckibben | 05/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well sung, well pronounced and wonderfully sensitive performances of this English music of the early 17th century."