Catalogue

Summary:

“Darlington’s selection is of such quality that the gap between major and minor figures is rather narrower than I, for one, had supposed…The stamina shown by the trebles is at all times remarkable, and this particular crop raises the recording nearer to the level of the first in the series than did the second” – Gramophone

“The superb Christ Church Cathedral choir here offer five more works from an unparalleled source of English sacred polyphony from the late 15th and early 16th centuries…sung with unfailing elegance” – The Sunday Times

“The works are ordered so as to provide an especially appealing start (the outstanding Salve regina by Hampton, one-time master of the Lady Chapel choir at Worcester Cathedral) and a truly ravishing ‘closer’ in the Etonian Wylkynson’s own Salve regina, which takes the breath away” – Early Music Today

This collection of music from the Eton Choirbook, the vast collection of English sacred music from the early Renaissance, is the third in an acclaimed series by Stephen Darlington and The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford which has proved a thrilling encounter with the remarkable world of the liturgy of Eton College Chapel in the late 15th century. This is sumptuous music of huge complexity, ranging from the rich sonority of Wylkynson and Hampton to the contrapuntal intricacy of Fawkyner and Turges. This music was also firmly rooted in the daily devotional life of the College, appreciated by all and not just a worshipping élite. The boys and men of Christ Church Cathedral choir maintain this tradition with a special affinity for this glorious repertoire and deliver performances of unreserved commitment.

Tracklist:

JOHN HAMPTON (1484–1521)
1. Salve regina (15:37)

EDMUND TURGES (1469–1508?)
2. Gaude flore virginali (13:43)

JOHN FAWKYNER (fl late 15^th century)
3. Gaude virgo salutata (18:49)

JOHN BROWNE (fl c 1480–1505)
4. O mater venerabilis (14:18)

ROBERT WYLKYNSON (b c 1475–80, d 1515 or later)
5. Salve regina (13:19)