In the English Reformation, new and vibrant forms of vernacular music-making emerged, including the verse anthem. Unlike the traditional ‘full’ anthem, where the choir maintains a continuous presence, this new form introduced an interplay between solo voices and the full consort, providing rich opportunity for narrative expression and musical development.
In this programme, The Gesualdo Six celebrate composers who specialised in this distinctive form. Some, such as Purcell, would go on to develop symphonic versions; others regained an enthusiasm for the older ‘motet’ style.
Highlights include the “Star Anthem” by John Bull, a quintessential Jacobean verse anthem celebrated across contemporary sources. The best-known in the 21st century is ‘This is the Record of John’, written by Orlando Gibbons for a visit of Archbishop Laud to his alma mater St John's College Oxford.
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