The Italian Influence

The composers of 16th-century England flourished under the rule of Elizabeth I, rapidly developing a diverse musical culture unparalleled anywhere on the continent, a truly Golden Age for English music. In this week of programmes Donald Macleod explores six composers who were key to this ascent - Thomas Morley, John Bull, Peter Philips, Thomas Weelkes, Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Tomkins. These composers were all active at around the same time as the “Father of British Musick” William Byrd and John Dowland, and all either studied or worked with Byrd, but they don’t often receive the same attention as those more famous names. One of the major factors in this English explosion of cultural maturity was the influence of the Italian renaissance. In Tuesday’s programme, Donald examines the impact of Italy on England’s Golden Age and the role of Thomas Morley and his monopoly of printing in the promotion of Italianate styles.

Alfonso Ferrabosco the Elder: Questi ch'indizio fan del mio tormento (Madrigal from Musica transalpina I, 1588)
La Compagnia del Madrigale

Morley: Now is the month of maying; Sing we and chant it; On a fair morning
Madrigal;
The King’s Singers
Robert Spencer, lute

Morley: Canzonets or Litle Short Aers to Five and Six Voices: No. 12 Cruel, Wilt Thou Persever
King’s Singers

Morley/Philips: Pavan & Galliard (arr. Philips based on Morley’s originals)
Rose Consort of Viols

Philips: Lasso, non e morir
Cappella Mediterranea
Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, director

Philips: Amarilli (after G. Caccini)
Christopher Hogwood, virginals

Philips: Gaude Maria virgo
Stile Antico

Weelkes: O Care Thou Wilt Dispatch Me (Parts 1 and 2)
Hilliard Ensemble
Paul Hillier, conductor

Weelkes: Come, Sirrah Jack, ho!
The King’s Singers

Weelkes: Thule, the period of cosmology – The Andalusian merchant
The Queen's Six

Gibbons: The Silver Swan (c.1611)
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, conductor

Tomkins: Oft did I marle (c.1622)
I Fagiolini
Robert Hollingworth, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales