Gibbons: Hosanna To The Son Of David

The church music of Orlando Gibbons always maintains such civility and refinement, and yet the strength and character of its melodies and the inventiveness of the imitative passages prevent any hint of routine or formula. The anthems on this disc--all 18 of them--show the highest order of compositional skill in the management of voices, occasionally accompanied by viols or organ. A few stand out as masterpieces, especially the verse anthems "Praise the Lord," with its magnificent writing for high trebles, and "See, the Word Is Incarnate," with its wonderful variety of textures and expressive effects. Of course the well-known "This Is the Record of John" and "Almighty and Everlasting God" are included, along with several lesser-known full and verse anthems. The Trinity College Choir is simply superb--make that matchless--in this repertoire. --David Vernier