See see the word is incarnate - Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625) text of motet included

This motet like many is a verse anthem of the continuous type that is, the chorus does not repeat any of the previous text of the solo section. Composed in the year 1616 probably at Westminster Abbey. This miniature Life of Our Lord was obviously an inspiration to the composer, for the narrative is imbued with some of his finest music. Particularly the "baroque" flourish at the end to the words "and heaven laid open to sinners." In this anthem was a baroque declamation, perfect in syllable and accent, which was nevertheless reconciled with the Renaissance polyphonic texture. This English characteristic, of "clothing the hare in tortoise-shell" shows why it was Gibbons who influenced the next generation of Purcell, rather than the opera, which for long failed to gain a foothold on the music of the English Island.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Orlando Gibbons
• see
• late renaissance
• early baroque music

[SolofTarsus5]

The music indicates this phrasing, and was the local dialect of educated people at the time. C of E cathedral choirs are generally staffed by people deeply aware of the history of liturgical music (often a prerequisite of the job). For the most part, local parish choir directors are often very talented musicians but not academics. Nothing wrong with that unless academic purist get involved. And no version of phrasing really compromises the message, beauty, or intention.

[Francis1930]

For Gibbons and those who wrote compositions during this period of time, they were following a form of English that would have been very different from our own. English wasn't standardised as is ours today. Spelling was not deemed important so one word could be spelt in a different number of ways all of which would have been correct at that time. The choristers are singing the words as they would have been spoken during the 1500's and before.

[HolyMotherofGrid]

WOW!! Thanks a lot for posting this. Fantastic version of this seldom-heard classic.

Bravo, Francis1930. I salute you for this.

[Francis1930]

I thank you for your kind comment. I try to post music that I like and hope others like and which I can't find elsewhere on youtube or at least not to the standard I would say is sufficient.

[cousinjk]

Sublime; thrilling; transcendent; music to make the spiritually deaf to hear.

[kkallebb]

One of Gibbons's greatest verse anthems. The passage beginning "See the fresh wounds" is mind-blowing.  Thanks for posting.

[Francis1930]

@hazzac1234 Yes stupid answer to a stupid question. You are obviously a heretic.

[hazzac1234]

DO you truly believe that finding deep beauty in amazing music would necessarily facilitate a belief in a god?

@cousinjk

[JamesLuckhurst]

So clear and pure. Long time since I sang this...

[molealto]

@choirboyfromhell1 Interesting that the "Alto 2" parts are sung by a high, light tenor (haute-contre) who makes them sound convincing, and crucially doesn't strain on the top. Alto 1 remains a countertenor, who, sad to say since I'm on the falsettists' side generally, rather pales by comparison to the haute-contre.

[choirboyfromhell1]

Sung beautifully, but probably the slowest I've ever heard. Is this Westminster Abbey? It's a long motet/anthem, hence the reason we rarely perform it as choristers, along with the fact that good countertenors are hard to find...

[lcdm1973]

Mio Dio che musica

[Jalapablo]

The only word I can think of is "sublime". Gibbons was a genius. Listening to this motet is an incredible experience: the theology is great, the music goes straight to the heart and brings tears. Those old English virginalists never cease to amaze me. What a gem this is.

[Londonfogey]

Another thing I've noticed is that on Youtube some secular early music is sung in an 'oo-arrrr' mummerset accent presumably supposed to be authentic for the time, but I have never heard sacred music sung in this accent - it's always sung in RP.

[SolofTarsus5]

Frankly, they are two books of two different religions and, from what I can tell, two different gods. You are fortunate to have people you can talk to about this sort of thing, as most of the time people go very silly about these matters. A good stroke of inspiration, too!