The Choir of York Minster & Robert Sharpe - Threads of Gold II (2021)

Following the release of Threads of Gold in February 2017, we’re delighted to present a second recording devoted to Tudor and Jacobean sacred choral music from the Choir of York Minster, conducted by Robert Sharpe.

Captured in the warm and radiant acoustic of the Lady Chapel of York Minster, this wide-ranging survey traces the ‘threads of gold’ weaving through the development of sacred choral works from immediately before the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603) to the early Jacobean period following – a period considered a Golden Age in English music.

With sacred works from the major composers of the second half of the 16th century, and the early years of the 17th – Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, and Thomas Tomkins – there are examples of Latin polyphonic Motets, concise a capella anthems in both Latin and English, and more elaborate verse anthems with extensive solos and organ accompaniment.

The recording features several of the most well-known examples of church music from the period, including ‘Ave Maria’ by Robert Parsons, ‘Ave verum corpus’ by William Byrd, and arguably one of the most perfect and beautifully-simple pieces of music ever written, ‘If ye love me’ by Thomas Tallis...
Tracklist
01. Ave Maria
02. If Ye Love Me
03. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Octavi Toni: I. Magnificat
04. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Octavi Toni: II. Nunc Dimittis
05. See, See, The Word Is Incarnate
06. Sing Joyfully
07. Behold, I Bring You Glad Tidings
08. Almighty and Everlasting God
09. Behold, Thou Hast Made My Days
10. Praise the Lord, O My Soul
11. Ave Verum Corpus
12. Iustorum Animae
13. We Praise Thee, O Father
14. O God, The Proud Are Risen Against Me
15. Almighty God, Who by Thy Son
16. When David Heard That Absalom Was Slain
17. Peccantem Me Quotidie