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. In Wednesday’s programme, Donald explores the lives of the composers who lived and worked in exile during this period including Peter Philips – after Byrd the most published English composer of the age.

Philips: Salve Regina
Capella Mediteranea
Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor

Philips: Pavan & Galliard in memory of Lord Paget
Rose Consort of Viols

Morley: Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis from First Service
Bristol Cathedral Choir
Ian Ball, organ
Christopher Brayne, conductor

Bull: Pavan No 2 (from Parthenia)
Catalina Vicens, double virginal

Bull: Almighty God, Which by the leading of a Star
Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal
Christopher Jackson, conductor

Bull: Fantasia on a fugue of Sweelinck
Robin Walker, organ

Philips: Pavan and Galliard Dolorosa
Ton Koopman, harpsichord

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Show less