Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Orlando Gibbons

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.

Music Featured:

The Silver Swan
O clap your hands
Out of the Deep
A Fancy (for Double Organ)
Behold, thou hast made my days
We praise thee, O Father
What Is Our life?
I am the resurrection
Hosanna to the Son of David
How art thou thralled
Farewell all joys
Now each flowery bank of May
Great King of Gods
Pavan a 6
Pavan and galliard Lord Salisbury
Fantasies in Three Parts Compos’d for Viols (No 6, No 8, No 9)
This is the Record of John
Fantasia No 10 in C Major
Ne’er let the Sun
Yet if that age
Trust not too much fair youth
Lift Up Your Heads
Fantasia No 1 for Two Trebles
Nay let me weep
William Byrd: Fair Britain Isle
Fantazia of Four Parts
O God, the king of glory
In Nomine for 5 Viols
Fantasia No 2 for 3 Viols
Glorious and Powerful God
See, see the word is incarnate
O Lord, in thy wrath
Drop, drop, slow tears (arr. P. Dearmer)
Do not repine, fair sun – Parts I and II
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints
O all true faithful hearts
Fantasia a 3 with Double Bass Viol
Fantasia for 6 Viols
Go from my Window
Almighty and everlasting God
Magnificat (Short Service)
Great Lord of Lords
Fantasia No 1 for the Great Double Bass
Fantasia No 2 a 6
The Hunt's Up (Peascod time)
The Second Service (Morning): Te Deum
Fantasia No 4 a 6
The Cryes of London I & II
Blessed are all they that fear the Lord

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Iain Chambers for BBC Audio Wales and West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001zvhm
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z