Fitzwilliam Virginal Book Vol.1 | Brilliant Classics 94303

Fitzwilliam Virginal Book Vol.1

Label: Brilliant Classics

Cat No: 94303

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 2

Genre: Instrumental

Release Date: 27th February 2012

Contents

About

The first volume of the Complete Edition of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book.

This remarkable collection of works for the virginal, or small harpsichord, is found in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. It is the largest collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean keyboard music, all handwritten and totalling nearly 300 compositions, and all of which predate the first keyboard music published in England by about 50 years. The identity of the copyist of these works is uncertain, although a fascinating riddle.

The manuscript is a role call of the leading composers of the era - John Bull, Giles Farnaby, William Byrd, Peter Philips, Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Tomkins and a number of unknown composers all feature. The copyist was, therefore, immersed in the world of keyboard music, with connections to the great composers of the day. Research seems to point to one Francis Tregian from Cornwall, who may have copied the music whilst in Fleet prison from 1608 until his death in 1619. He certainly had time on his hands, but how he obtained the materials and original music is far from clear. His connection to Cornwall is important - William Cornyshe (whose surname probably indicated his birthplace) was a significant composer during the reign of Henry VII and Henry VIII, while Farnaby and Tomkins also came from Cornwall.

Tregian’s remarkable work – which extends to four volumes and 2000 pieces – ensured the survival of music by many of the most important composers of this era.

This CD, the first in a series, includes a number of rare but intriguing keyboard works, performed by harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder.

Contents:
CD 1
1. Walsingham (John Bull)  
2. Fantasia (Giles Farnaby)  
3. Piper’s Paven (Martin Peerson)  
4. Piper’s Galliard (John Bull)  
5. Pavana Ph.Tr. (William Byrd)
6. Galliarda (William Byrd)
7. Pavana Pagget (Peter Philips)
8. Galiarda (Peter Philips)
9. Praeludium (John Bull)  
10. Gloria tibi trinitas (In Nomine) (John Bull)  
11. Toccata (Giovanni Picchi)  
12. Pawles Wharfe (Giles Farnaby)  
13. (Fantastic) Pavana (John Bull)  
14. (Fantastic) Galiarda (John Bull)  
15. A Grounde (Thomas Tomkins)  

CD 2
1. Pavana (Orlando Gibbons)
2. The Leaves bee greene (William Inglot)
3. The Bells (William Byrd)
4. Goe from my window (John Munday/Thomas Morley)
5. Fantasia (William Byrd)
6. Coranto (William Byrd)  
7. Amarilli di Julio Romano (Peter Philips)
8. The old Spagnoletta (Giles Farnaby)
9. Pavana (Giles Farnaby)  
10. Nowel’s Galliard (Anon.)  
11. Barafostus’ Dreame (Anon.)  
12. The K(ing’s) Hunt (Giles Farnaby)  
13. Muscadin (Giles Farnaby)  
14. Fantasia (Nicholas Strogers)  
15. Barafostus’ Dreame (Thomas Tomkins)  
16. In Nomine (Doctor Bull)  
17. The King’s Hunt (John Bull)  
18. Johnson’s Medley (Edward Johnson)  
19. In Nomine (John Bull)  
20. The Fall of the Leafe (Martin Peerson)

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