Byrd's consort song in 6 parts from 'Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets', published in 1611

How vain the toils

The first of two 7-part consort settings of the famous In Nomine cantus firmus - 2 Treble, 2 Tenor and 3 Bass recorders


In Nomine I - Robert Parsons

The second 7-part consort setting of the In Nomine cantus firmus, this time on 1 Descant, 2 Treble and 4 bass recorders

In Nomine II - Robert Parsons

Mr Weelkes his second Pavan, played on descant, treble, two tenor and bass recorders.

Today's image: excerpt of a woodcut that supposedly shows the face of Thomas Weelkes

Pavan II - Thos. Weelkes

A melancholie Pavin.

Today's picture: Chichester Cathedral, where Weelkes was employed from 1602 until his death in 1623.

Pavan III - Thos. Weelkes

A fantasia in 6 parts by Weelkes, the use of two bass parts to differentiate it from the scoring of the pavans. 

Today's image: the medieval parish church of St Bride's, Fleet Street, where Weelkes is buried.

Fantasia for two basses - Thos. Weelkes

A fine pavan for five parts.

Today's image: the Critical and biographical study of Weelkes by David Brown, although now a little outdated (more services and anthems have been reconstructed since publication), it remains the Bible on the life and works of one Thomas Weelkes

Pavan V - Thos. Weelkes

Mr Weelkes his sixth pavan, played as ever on recorders 

Today's image is the 18th century prospect of Chichester Cathedral organ, although not one Weelkes would have known - the main case of 1678 by Renatus Harris and the chair case by John Byfield of 1725.

Pavan VI - Thos. Weelkes

Thomas Weelkes' first Pavan, in a most melancholy mood, played on descant, treble, two tenor and bass recorders.

Today's image: The four recorders I use to play consorts on!

Mr. Weelkes his Lachrymae - Pavan I, Thomas Weelkes

Thomas Weelkes' anthem in 7 parts, recorded after a long hiatus in memory of his 400th anniversary of his death. 

O Lord, grant the King a long life

The Collect for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, set to music by Orlando Gibbons

Almighty And Everlasting God - Orlando Gibbons

Hosanna To The Son Of David - Orlando Gibbons

One of the best songs arranged... Perhaps ever?

Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring - The Four Freshmen

One of the most iconic anthems in the whole of the Anglican repertoire, Gibbons sets a text from the Gospel of John fit for the third Sunday of Advent, accompanied by Recorder Consort.

This is the Record of John - Orlando Gibbons

For years I've known about(but been unable to find sources) on an alternate ending to this anthem, with slightly different words. I am also delighted to find it has a different final cadence!


Variant ending as found in manuscript sources BM add. MSS 29372-6, (the Myriell Part-Books)and MSS 56-60 from Christ Church, Oxford.

See, see the Word <<variant ending>>

One of the most substantial anthems of the English Verse tradition from an undisputed master. Text by Dr. Godfrey Goodman, then the Dean of Rochester, the anthem charts the birth, passion, resurrection and heavenly reign of Jesus Christ, which Gibbons sets as an inexorable tide of music, switching between solo verse and full choir.

Accompanied as always by the one-man consort of recorders!

See, See The Word is incarnate - Orlando Gibbons

The Four Horsemen are... Paul-Ethan Bright.

A multitrack project from the wilderness: a one-two punch of occupational redundancy and the closing of choirs in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. Who knows where the Horsemen will roam, with repertoire ranging from renaissance classics and seldom-heard gems to barbershop delights?

The Four Horsemen

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