Heaven and Earth in Little Space

A sequence of music featuring rarely-heard verse anthems by Thomas Tomkins who provided music for Christmas Day and the feasts after Christmas – St Stephen, St John the Evangelist and the Holy Innocents.

These anthems are elegant and witty, the very best chamber music of the early to mid-19th century in England. Around them is another rarely heard setting of the Mass by Palestrina, based on his own motet Dies sanctificatus. Typically elegant and expressive, it encapsulates both the wonder and joy of Christmas.

To finish and to point the way forward is a verse anthem by John Bull for the feast of the Epiphany when we celebrate the visit of the Three Kings, and finally an eight-part ebullient setting of Dies sanctificatus by Palestrina.

Programme:
Thomas Tomkins Almighty God, who hast given
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Dies Sanctificatus a4 Missa Dies Sanctificatus: Kyrie | Gloria
Thomas Tomkins Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Missa Dies Sanctificatus: Credo
Thomas Tomkins Merciful Lord, we beseech thee
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Missa Dies Sanctificatus: Sanctus
Thomas Tomkins Almighty God, whose praise this day
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Missa Dies Sanctificatus: Agnus Dei I | Agnus Dei II
John Bull Almighty God, which by the leading of a star
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Dies Sanctificatus a8