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‘The Best Finger of that Age’ 1617-1620

Donald Macleod looks at the last - eventful - decade of Gibbons’s short life.

Orlando Gibbons’s life throws a light on the political turbulence affecting Britain in the early 17th century. As King James VI and I struggled to establish the concept of British identity, his court was blessed with one of England’s most talented musicians of the time, Orlando Gibbons.

Today, Donald Macleod looks at the last - eventful - decade of Gibbons’s short life, and we meet the notorious George Villiers, who rose from lowly second son of a minor gentleman from Leicestershire to become the Duke of Buckingham, becoming the only English Duke beyond the Royal Family itself.

Drop, drop, slow tears (arr. P. Dearmer)
Gabrieli Consort and Players
Paul McCreesh, director

Do not repine, fair sun – Parts I and II
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints
Magdalena Consort
Fretwork
Peter Harvey, director

O all true faithful hearts
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, director

Fantasia a 3 with Double Bass Viol
Fantasia for 6 Viols
Go from my Window
³¢'²¹³¦³óé°ù´Ç²Ô

Almighty and everlasting God
Magnificat (Short Service)
Oxford Camerata
Jeremy Summerly, conductor

Great Lord of Lords
Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Stephen Darlington, conductor

Produced by Iain Chambers for Â鶹Éç Audio Wales & West

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Orlando Gibbons

    Drop, drop, slow tears

    Music Arranger: Percy Dearmer. Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort. Director: Paul McCreesh.
    • Signum : CD-281.
    • Signum.
    • 1.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Do not repine, fair sun

    Ensemble: Magdalena Consort. Ensemble: Fretwork. Director: Peter Harvey.
    • SIGNUM CLASSICS : SIGCD-511.
    • SIGNUM CLASSICS.
    • 6.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints

    Ensemble: Magdalena Consort. Ensemble: Fretwork. Director: Peter Harvey.
    • SIGNUM CLASSICS : SIGCD-511.
    • SIGNUM CLASSICS.
    • 12.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    O all true faithful hearts

    Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • CORO : CORSACD-16016.
    • CORO.
    • 2.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Fantasia a 3 with Double Bass

    Ensemble: L’Achéron.
    • RICERCAR : RIC384.
    • RICERCAR.
    • 6.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Fantasia for 6 viols

    Ensemble: L’Achéron.
    • RICERCAR : RIC384.
    • RICERCAR.
    • 8.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Go from my Window

    Performer: L’Achéron.
    • RICERCAR : RIC384.
    • RICERCAR.
    • 18.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Almighty and everlasting God

    Choir: Oxford Camerata. Conductor: Jeremy Summerly.
    • NAXOS : 8.553130.
    • NAXOS.
    • 9.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Short Service (Magnificat)

    Choir: Oxford Camerata. Conductor: Jeremy Summerly.
    • NAXOS : 8.553130.
    • NAXOS.
    • 13.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Great Lord of Lords

    Choir: Christ Church Cathedral Oxford Choir. Conductor: Stephen Darlington.
    • AVIE : AV-2215.
    • AVIE.
    • 15.

Broadcast

  • Thu 13 Jun 2024 16:00

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