Arranged by the People's Concert Society in Co-operation with the B.B.C.
Twelfth and Last Concert of Fourth Series
The Chelsea Singers: Winifred Whelen; Sybilla Marshall; Viola Dore; Bruce Flegg; Winter Coppin
Jessie Hall (Solo Pianoforte)
Part I. Elizabeth Music
Here are three examples of the delicately-woven choralism of three hundred years ago. The first is a setting of words that have become very familiar, their warning burden being 'Men were deceivers ever.'
One of the most popular of all Madrigals is Festa's Down in a Flou'ry Vale. It is also one of the oldest that most people are likely, nowadays, to hear. Its Composer belonged to the Papal Choir, and was one of the leading men who gave the real start to the great unaccompanied choral music of the sixteenth century.
Thomas Morley was a contemporary and possibly a friend of Shakespeare, who set to music some of the Poet's songs. The piece now sung is called a Ballet. This was a lighter kind of Madrigal, with a care-free 'Fa-la-la' refrain. 'Now is the month of Maying,' it runs, 'When merry lads are playing, each with his bonny lass.'
Selection of Virginal and Harpsichord Pieces
Elizabethan Pastoral, 'Phoebe'
The second part will include miscellaneous items, the titles of which will be given out by the Announcer.