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. The Chapel Royal played an important role in musical life under James I. In Thursday’s programme, Donald explores the Chapel Royal and the increasing importance of Orlando Gibbons in James I’s court.

Bull: Coranto - Alarm
The Canadian Brass

Weelkes: O Lord, Grand the King a Long Life
The Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Fretwork
David Skinner, conductor

Gibbons: Fantasia No 5 in G minor
Robert Wooley, organ

Gibbons: O Clap your hands
The Clerkes of Oxenford
David Wulstan, conductor

Gibbons: Lord Salisbury’s Pavan and Galliard from Parthenia
Alina Rotaru, virginals

Bull: Pavan & Galliard “St Thomas Wake”
Alina Rotaru, virginals

Gibbons: Nay Let me weep (Part 1)
The Consort of Musicke
Anthony Rooley, conductor

Tomkins: Know You Not
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, conductor

Gibbons: O Lord in thy Wrath, Rebuke me Not
Oxford Camerata
Jeremy Summerly, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Show less