Choral music not heard since era of Henry VIII has been played for first time in 500 years

The Telegraph ^ | 9-29-14 | Hannah Furness

[afraidfortherepublic]

Choral music not heard since the time of Henry VIII has been brought to life for the first time in 500 years, as an academic unearths an untouched manuscript and shows it to a modern choir.

The manuscript, a book of 34 religious songs, was given to Henry VIII as a lavish gift from a French diplomat in his early reign.

Containing songs referencing Henry and his then-bride Catherine of Aragon, it is considered the most "luxurious" surviving diplomatic gift of its kind.

It remained in the Royal Collection after the king's death, and was later given to the nation by George II where it has remained untouched in the vaults of the British Library ever since.

Dr David Skinner, a Cambridge fellow, has now examined the manuscript for the first time in hundreds of years, before bringing the music back to life with ensemble choir featuring nine singers and period instruments. Dr Skinner said the existence of the manuscript had been known to specialist scholars, but added no-one had ever studied it, leaving the parchment pages "white as snow" when he opened it.

Given to Henry VIII around 1516, it was tailor-made for the Royal couple and produced in the workshop of Petrus Alamire, a scribe and musician who went on to spy for the king.

The elaborately illuminated book, catalogued in the British Library as "Royal 8 G VII", has now been turned into 34 pieces of music, sung by choir Alamire.

~snip~

The entire collection has now been recorded, and will be available for sale under the name The Spy's Choirbook from October 1.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Ancient music ping.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Ancient music ping.

[Revel]

I really like the Synthesizer parts.

[Skooz]

How cool is that?

[The Great RJ]

Inspiring church music without thumping guitars, pounding drums or “kumbayas”.

[BenLurkin]

no-one had ever studied it, leaving the parchment pages "white as snow" when he opened it.

Henry didn't care for it apparently -- but I think the music is gorgeous.

[BenLurkin]

Bump!

[bgill]

Sort of useless without the video.

[SES1066]

I wonder if at that time for Henry VIII, if the higher voices were castrati? I think it probable but do not know for certain.

[a fool in paradise]

Golden Oldies PING

[tomkat]

Courtesy ping .. you're being referenced !   d:^)

[Slyfox]

Thomas Tallis and William Byrd were two other English composers who also wrote polyphony. When Henry VIII took over the Catholic Church, this kind of music went to the wayside. William Byrd stayed on after all of this beautiful music was decommissioned and his job, after writing some of the most amazing creations, was relegated to providing the pitches that the choir sang from.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[CatherineofAragon]

Thank you, my friend!

I was going to say I recalled being critical of that piece...my peevish husband sent me to my chambers for my forwardness.

But I can’t be sure it’s the same one, because I just get endless buffering, and no music. *grrrr*

[tomkat]

< smiling >

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks afraidfortherepublic.

[SunkenCiv]

Here's hoping this comes back into print for Christmas.

"Sanctus" - John Taverner (1490 - 1545)

[mass55th]

Thanks for sharing this. It’s beautiful. The Spy’s Choirbook CD is available on Amazon. Just put it in my Wish List.

[SunkenCiv]

Ah, an early Christmas present to me, a live version of Huelgas' rendition of this, by the meistro -- this ensemble recorded the very first recorded version of this, only made possible because a large chunk of the formerly lost masterpiece turned up in an old book, I think in Denmark.

Antoine Brumel [c.1460-1515] Missa "Et ecce terrae motus" Live 23 nov 1996