The Early Music Show - Henry VIII Choirbook

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the accession of Henry VIII, Lucie Skeaping looks at the manuscript of a choirbook, containing six motets, that was gifted to Henry and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Lucie talks to David Skinner who has recorded these motets for the first time with his vocal ensemble Alamire. This manuscript is one shown in the exhibition at the British Library celebrating this anniversary. Although Henry is perhaps now remembered for his ill-temper and succession of failed marriages, the early years of his reign were a time of great musical activity; he was passionate about music, composing accomplished pieces himself. This programme is being broadcast as part of BBc Radio 3's Henry VIII anniversary commemorations. PLAYLIST: All music from a CD entitled “Henry’s Music: Motets from a Royal Choirbook – Songs by Henry VIII”. HENRY VIII: Consort XIII Alamire QuintEssential Andrew Lawrence-King (harp) David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 13 SAMPSON: Salve radix [canon in honour of Henry VIII.] Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 7 SAMPSON: Psallite felices Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 8 (excerpt) SAMPSON: Quam pulchra est Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 10 ANON: Hec est preclarum Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 11 TAVERNER: O Christe Jesu, pastor bone Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 1 HENRY VIII: O my heart Clare Wilkinson (mezzo-soprano) Andrew Lawrence-King (harp) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 14 PHILIPPE VERDELOT: Nil majus superi vident Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 17 FAYRFAX: Lauda vivi alpha et oo Alamire David Skinner (director) OBSIDIAN CD705 track 21