‘The Best Finger of that Age’ 1617-1620
Donald Macleod looks at the last - eventful - decade of Gibbons’s short life.
Orlando Gibbons’s life throws a light on the political turbulence affecting Britain in the early 17th century. As King James VI and I struggled to establish the concept of British identity, his court was blessed with one of England’s most talented musicians of the time, Orlando Gibbons.
Today, Donald Macleod looks at the last - eventful - decade of Gibbons’s short life, and we meet the notorious George Villiers, who rose from lowly second son of a minor gentleman from Leicestershire to become the Duke of Buckingham, becoming the only English Duke beyond the Royal Family itself.
Drop, drop, slow tears (arr. P. Dearmer)
Gabrieli Consort and Players
Paul McCreesh, director
Do not repine, fair sun – Parts I and II
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints
Magdalena Consort
Fretwork
Peter Harvey, director
O all true faithful hearts
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, director
Fantasia a 3 with Double Bass Viol
Fantasia for 6 Viols
Go from my Window
L'achéron
Almighty and everlasting God
Magnificat (Short Service)
Oxford Camerata
Jeremy Summerly, conductor
Great Lord of Lords
Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Stephen Darlington, conductor
Produced by Iain Chambers for BBC Audio Wales & West
Last on
Music Played
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Orlando Gibbons
Drop, drop, slow tears
Music Arranger: Percy Dearmer. Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort. Director: Paul McCreesh.- Signum : CD-281.
- Signum.
- 1.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Do not repine, fair sun
Ensemble: Magdalena Consort. Ensemble: Fretwork. Director: Peter Harvey.- SIGNUM CLASSICS : SIGCD-511.
- SIGNUM CLASSICS.
- 6.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints
Ensemble: Magdalena Consort. Ensemble: Fretwork. Director: Peter Harvey.- SIGNUM CLASSICS : SIGCD-511.
- SIGNUM CLASSICS.
- 12.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
O all true faithful hearts
Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.- CORO : CORSACD-16016.
- CORO.
- 2.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Fantasia a 3 with Double Bass
Ensemble: L’Achéron.- RICERCAR : RIC384.
- RICERCAR.
- 6.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Fantasia for 6 viols
Ensemble: L’Achéron.- RICERCAR : RIC384.
- RICERCAR.
- 8.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Go from my Window
Performer: L’Achéron.- RICERCAR : RIC384.
- RICERCAR.
- 18.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Almighty and everlasting God
Choir: Oxford Camerata. Conductor: Jeremy Summerly.- NAXOS : 8.553130.
- NAXOS.
- 9.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Short Service (Magnificat)
Choir: Oxford Camerata. Conductor: Jeremy Summerly.- NAXOS : 8.553130.
- NAXOS.
- 13.
![]()
Orlando Gibbons
Great Lord of Lords
Choir: Christ Church Cathedral Oxford Choir. Conductor: Stephen Darlington.- AVIE : AV-2215.
- AVIE.
- 15.
Broadcast
- Thu 13 Jun 202416:00BBC Radio 3
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