Thomas Weelkes: Grant the King a long life - English Anthems & Instrumental Music

• Audio Samples
• Album Summary
• Notes & Reviews
• Also Purchased
• Works Details

Audio Samples

Album Summary

Performers

• Daniel Smith (Organ)
• Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)

Conductor

• Skinner, David

Ensemble

• Fretwork

Composer

• Thomas Weelkes (1575 - 1623)

Notes & Reviews:

Thomas Weelkes was a notorious drunkard and blasphemer, in regular conflict with the authorities of Chichester Cathedral where he was organist, Informator Choristarum, and a singing-man from 1602 until his death in 1623. At least that is his modern reputation. But regardless of the man's personal flaws, his music firmly stands as sublime. He was the most notable composer of madrigals in his day, and one of the most prolific composers of church music. Featured here is a selection of his finest full and verse anthems as well as instrumental music for organ, viols, and solo voice, including a number of anthems in praise of King James I of England.

Gramophone Magazine
The exquisite playing of Fretwork, especially in the three Pavans, is of such quality that it alone is well worth the price of the disc. And, given their own moment in the limelight in two of Weelkes's voluntaries, the two organists emerge as deeply sympathetic to this delightful music.

International Record Review
For the organ-accompanied verse anthems the soloists have been drawn from the choir...while in anthems such as 'What joy so true' the women affect the usual choirboyish quality though without the dangerously fragile intonation that usually accompanies such a strategy; the result is, well, affecting...Fretwork's highly musical phrasing complemented by dusky timbres and sharply delineated textures return to delight both ear and brain.

American Record Guide, September / October 2012
The choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge is a mixed ensemble with straighttoned sopranos and female altos. It is typical of many fine English mixed choirs of young adult singers active today. It is a sound that is very good for the clear and refined presentation of music of Weelkes's time. Still, it is not the sound the composer would have expected. It is for individual listeners to determine the importance of the authentic English cathedral sound of men and boys for the convincing presentation of this repertory. That sound at its best is available on a reissued Weelkes recording by Winchester Cathedral Choir under David Hill (Helios 55259; May/June 2008). On its first appearance (Hyperion 66477; March/April 1993), John Barker gave it a brief review and mentioned as a worthy companion the 1988 recording of Weelkes services and anthems sung by the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, under Stephen Darlington (Nimbus 5125). On the present recording David Skinner directs performances that are eloquently expressive yet somewhat understated. The consort pavans and fantasy as well as the accompaniments of the consort songs are performed by Fretwork, one of the outstanding ensembles of its kind.

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011).

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Also Purchased

Works Details

Weelkes, Thomas : Hosanna to the Son of David

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 1 min. 54 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Pavane no 1 for 5 viols

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 3 min. 27 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : What joy so true, anthem for 5 voices & organ

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 5 min. 8 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : All people clap your hands, for 5 voices

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 1 min. 55 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Voluntaries (2) for keyboard :: no 1

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 1 min. 53 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Lord, to thee I make my moan, anthem for 5 voices

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 11 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : When David heard

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 4 min. 10 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance
• Form: Choral

Weelkes, Thomas : Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 3 min. 10 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Pavane [No. 3] for 5 viols (incomplete)

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 32 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Give ear, O Lord, anthem for 5 voices & organ

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 5 min. 4 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Most mighty and all-knowing Lord

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 33 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : O how amiable, anthem for 5 voices

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 3 min. 4 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Voluntaries (2) for keyboard :: no 2

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 9 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Alleluia, I heard a voice

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 50 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : O mortal man, anthem for 5 voices

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 3 min. 9 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Pavane no 2 for 5 viols

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 28 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Give the king thy judgements

• Performers: Benjamin Atkinson (Organ); Daniel Smith (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 4 min. 50 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : Fantasia, for 2 basses

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 1 min. 30 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : If King Manasses, anthem for 6 voices & organ

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 6 min. 42 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance

Weelkes, Thomas : O Lord, grant the king a long life, anthem for 7 voices

• Performers: Daniel Smith (Organ); Benjamin Atkinson (Organ)
• Conductor: David Skinner
• Ensemble: Fretwork
• Notes: Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, England (07/04/2011-07/06/2011)
• Running Time: 2 min. 33 sec.
• Period Time: Renaissance