^{FIRST PUBLISHED 25 NOV 2023}

400 years since the death of Thomas Weelkes, the Rose Consort of Viols and the Choir of Chichester Cathedral perform his music in the building where he was organist and ‘informator choristarum’ (Master of the Choristers): pieces for both domestic and sacred performance, with anthems, pavans and In nomines for viols.

Robert Hollingworth and Andrew McGregor on BBC Radio 3 Record Review:

‘… Weelkes would recognise this… This is the real thing… some of Weelkes’s best known pieces… A lovely mix… John Bryan, who has lived his entire life in the world of viol consorts and this music, has done an absolutely first-rate job [reconstructing several anthems from the surviving organ short score] and so all of a sudden we’ve got a new piece of Weelkes… The honesty of the performances really come out… For the Weelkes anniversary year this is a really good way of getting to know the range of his music.’

BBC Music Magazine:

‘A nice introduction to the music of Thomas Weelkes, as
Chichester Cathedral Choir dutifully marks the 400th anniversary of the
death of its most famous employee …The Rose Consort make fine
accompanists. ’

Organists’ Review:

‘The performances are notable for their sensitivity to the texts and there is some particularly fine solo (verse) singing.’

Planet Hugill:

‘…a refreshing sense of lightness here and a feeling that the music is embedded in the choir’s psyche, a lovely naturalness to the performance of the liturgical pieces…The choir is well-supported and complemented by the Rose Consort of Viols, who contribute typically
sensitive performances of Weelkes’ consort music, whilst both organists make a fine case for Weelkes’ keyboard writing.’

Find out more about What Joy so True and buy a copy at Regent Records.