Courts of Heaven—Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume 3

Program: #14-40   Air Date: Sep 29, 2014

NOTE: All of the music on this program is from the recording Courts of Heaven—Music from the Eton Choirbook, Volume 3 with the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford directed by Stephen Darlington. It is on the Avie label and is CD number AV2314.

On Courts of Heaven, their third volume of music from the Eton Choirbook, The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, under the direction of Stephen Darlington, gives glorious performances of 15th-century English sacred music by Browne, Fawkyner, Hampton, Turges and Wylkynson.

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.

1. John Hampton (1484-1521): Salve regina 15:37
2. Edmund Turges (1469-?1508): Gaude flore virginali 13:43
3. John Fawkyner (fl. late 15th c.): Gaude virgo salutata 18:49
4. John Browne (fl. c.1480-1505): O mater venerabilis 14:18
5. Robert Wylkynson (c.1475/80-c.1515): Salve regina 13:19

Composer Info

John Browne (fl. c.1480-1505), John Fawkyner (fl. late 15th c.), John Hampton (1484-1521), Edmund Turges (1469-?1508),

CD Info

CD number AV2314,