NEWSLETTER November 2006 THE CARDINALL’S MUSICK
his Tallis Fantasia. Set against Christmas this simplicity is the opulent polyphony of his Missa Salve Concert intemerata virgo and the ST JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE Monday 18 December 2006 antiphon of the same name. Probably written during The Cardinall’s Christmas the reign of Henry VIII, the concert at St John’s, antiphon is a paean of praise Smith Square for 2006 to the Virgin Mary underlin- concentrates on the music of the two Tudor ing the fact that ultimate salvation can only greats—Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. come through the birth of Christ. Following on from our recent success with William Byrd propels the listener forward the Gramophone 2006 Awards and the into the later sixteenth century with two imminent release of the next CD in our stunning motets, Descendit de caelis and Byrd series, Andrew Carwood says: ‘This is Exsurge Domine, before his thoughtful and the obvious repertoire for us to present this well-crafted set of Mass Propers for Christ- Christmas. Not only does it build on our mas Day—music almost certainly written achievements of the last year but it is also for the now illegal Catholic services. Tribue sublime music to take us into the festive Domine, the final piece in the programme, period.’ is a riot of energy and imagination as it Thomas Tallis and William Byrd were celebrates the triumph of the Trinity. business partners and colleagues but also close friends. It is fitting therefore that they Tickets are priced at £25, £20, £15 and £10. should share this programme of Tudor If you are a Friend, Benefactor or Patron of The Cardinall’s Musick you qualify for a music for the Christmas season. The con- special reduced rate. Please call the St John’s cert opens with Tallis’s famous tune, Why Box Office on 020 7222 1061 and state that fumeth in fight, which so captivated Ralph you are a Friend when booking your tickets. Vaughan Williams and led to the writing of Gramophone winner by the Gramophone reviewers. Gramo- TALLIS, GAUDE GLORIOSA (HYPERION CDA67548) phone is the most prestigious of the CD reviewing journals and gives annual awards The Cardinall’s Musick to the recordings which its reviewers con- disc of music by Thomas sider to be outstanding. Our disc of music Tallis (featured in our last by the Englishman, Thomas Tallis, was the news letter) has been first recording by the group to be released voted best in the Early on the Hyperion label and sets the seal on a Music Category for 2006 happy ongoing partnership. THE CARDINALL’S MUSICK NEWSLETTER Andrew Carwood to take up BBC Singers job bbc singers appoint andrew carwood as principal guest conductor The BBC Singers is one of the foremost chamber choirs in the country and consists of twenty-four top professional musicians. Andrew has been working with them regularly over the last couple of years. His appointment means that he will be see- ing them more regularly but this does not THE BBC SINGERS change his relationship or commitment to It was announced recently that Andrew The Cardinall’s Musick who remain his first Carwood has been appointed Principal priority. Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers. www.bbc.co.uk/singers Cardinall’s appoint new administrator a welcome to anne-marie norman The Cardinall’s Musick are delighted to residential course in Edinburgh at Festival welcome Anne-Marie Norman on board time. On top of this she successful adminis- as administrator for the ensemble. She has trates her husband and children and is even a wealth of information about the music known to contribute her skills on the viola business having already been involved with from time to time. The Sixteen and The Tallis Scholars and now Anne-Marie is working as an assistant with the Rehearsal Orchestra, an ensemble to Andrew Carwood and the Board of The which presents weekend repertoire courses Cardinall’s Musick. She receives a most warm in London during the year and a one-week and heartfelt welcome from us all.
N E W O F F I C E
One of the benefits of the fund-raising of the OUR NEW ADDRESS last year is that The Cardinall’s Musick now has a dedicated office to provide a base for The Cardinall’s Musick its administration and a store for the ever- The Bon Marché Building increasing music library. Until this time, all 241–251 Ferndale Road of the administration has been undertaken London from the homes of the director and those sw9 8bj who have so selflessly helped him over the years. This marks a major turning point in the Telephone: 020 7733 5075 organisation. E-mail: [email protected]
2 | November 2006 NEWSLETTER THE CARDINALL’S MUSICK Education project underway early music workshops for children
Earlier in October, The Cardinall’s gave the help and encouragement from Andrew. We first in a series of workshops at New College provided music by William Byrd, Michael School in Oxford. Five singers and Andrew East, Thomas Weelkes and Richard Dering Carwood spent the afternoon giving a as we presented both sides of the historical presentation to 11–13 year-olds on The Gun- argument and managed to bring the subject powder Plot with music of the period. Not of The Gunpowder Plot alive for the hour- only is this a wonderful way to introduce long workshop. children to early music within the context Further workshops are planned in of history but it also allows them to experi- Somerset, Hampshire and in London. Once ence the true thrill of live music making. dates have been firmly set, Benefactors and Pupils were also taught about conducting Patrons will be invited to come along and and two lucky individuals had the chance to see exactly how successful these events can conduct The Cardinall’s Musick with a little be. A date for the diary Cardinall’s on ‘triumphant friends of the cardinall’s musick top form’ at York Early The Cardinall’s Musick has several dates in Music Festival the UK for this coming year and now has geoff brown reviews for the times plenty of enquiries from abroad, including South Korea! Full updates will be contained For gentlemen performers of The Cardinall’s on our web site. However we would like to Musick, Monday night at York Minster suggest that you make a note of the follow- was an open-necked shirt night. A conces- ing special event: sion to balmy temperatures perhaps? More likely, the group’s director Andrew Carwood Tuesday 6 March 2007 wanted no obstruction to impede any velvet The Temple, London throats. ‘Sing out!’ seems his permanent di- rective. And so they did, sallying forth upon Following the success of our fund-raising an exceptional programme of Tudor music event at Lord’s Cricket Ground earlier this for church and court in the lush Chapter year, we shall be hosting a similar concert House acoustic. and dinner this time in the magnificent For the York Early Music Festival, setting of The Temple in central London. dedicated this year to the theme of ‘dynastic The evening will consist of The Cardinall’s strains’, this was the perfect attraction. Here Musick live in performance and a first-class was music for five Tudor monarchs: music of meal punctuated by lighter items from our different styles and religions, reflecting the repertory. Friends, Benefactors and Patrons sixteenth century’s upheavals. Henry VIII, will be receiving information in the New of course, jumped in with a piece of his own, Year. Continued overleaf »
November 2006 | 3 THE CARDINALL’S MUSICK NEWSLETTER New Byrd release LAUDIBUS IN SANCTIS (HYPERION CDA67568)
On 1 November 2006, in sanctis (the title of the new disc). Once Hyperion Records re- again, The Cardinall’s Musick returned to leased a new disc of mu- Arundel for the recording sessions and we sic by William Byrd. This are indebted to the Duke of Norfolk for once recording represents again allowing us access to this most special the tenth in the series of places. devoted to the music of As Friends of The Cardinall’s Musick, we Byrd started by ASV / Gaudeamus with The are delighted to be able to make you a spe- Cardinall’s Musick. In an excellent example cial offer. Our discs normally retail at £14.99 of record companies and artists working but, in grateful recognition of your support, together, both companies are happy to join we are able to offer you this disc at £10.00 forces to complete this exciting landmark per copy. If you would like to take advan- series, and a further three discs from Hype- tage of this offer please call our hotline on rion will complete the Latin Sacred Music of 020 7733 5075 or send an e-mail to friends@ one England’s greatest geniuses. cardinallsmusick.com or simply write to our The music is the first instalment from new address: Byrd’s 1591 Cantiones Sacrae and features another segment of his motets from the 1605 The Cardinall’s Musick Gradualia. 1591 was an important year for CD Promotion Byrd. It marks the end of an intense period The Bon Marché Building of publications (one volume in 1588, two in 241–251 Ferndale Road 1589 and then one more in 1591) when he London SW9 8BJ must have been re-visiting previous compo- sitions as well as producing new, brilliant, If you are missing any Cardinall’s Musick CDs modern sounding motets like Laudibus do not hesitate to contact us.
Cardinall’s YEMF review genius. But Robert Fayrfax got through » Continued from page 3 it: when your motet is commissioned by the direct and bouncy Pastime with good Henry VII’s wife you don’t walk away. The companye, though our good company was Cardinall’s in any case could make music mostly pyramids of ceremonial polyphony, out of a John Prescott speech. Clear tones; sometimes wrapped round the most forbid- perfect intonation; an ideal balance between ding words. Take the line ‘Issachar quoque individual colour and an ensemble blend; Nazaphat neconon Ismaria’. This genealogi- emotional directness: Monday night found cal nugget would seem to defeat anyone’s them on triumphant top form.
THE CARDINALL’S MUSICK The Bon Marché Building, 241–251 Ferndale Road, London SW9 8BJ Tel: 020 7733 5075 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cardinallsmusick.com The Cardinall’s Musick Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales 3405041 Registered Office: Highland House, Albert Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9TN. Registered Charity No: 1064660
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