Singers: David Hurley (countertenor), Robin Tyson (countertenor), Paul Phoenix (tenor), Philip Lawson (baritone), Christopher Gabbitas (baritone), Stephen Connolly (bass). Organist Sarah Baldock (Mrs. David Hurley)

On 5 November 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught preparing to detonate 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords unveiling an act of attempted treason that shocked the whole of Europe. What led a group of young Catholic men to risk their lives for their faith?

400 years later the King's Singers and Concordia illuminate the dangers of hearing Mass in secret, of conspiracy and downfall, and of Protestant relief and celebration, through a project of music and prose.

The music, structured around Byrd's perfect 4-part Mass, contains motets by Catholic composers, balanced with Protestant anthems celebrating the downfall of the plot, and a commission from the British composer, Francis Pott. Master Tresham: His Ducke reflects on the of its day - 5/11/1605. The script, drawing on historic texts and written by Deborah Mackay for the quatercentenary concert series related to this CD, uses the dramatised persona of William Byrd, the most famous composer of his age, to recreate the atmosphere of change and hope in the Jacobean court.

Label:
Signum Records Year: 2005

Pubished reviews

1605: Treason and Dischord - Cathedral Music

CATHEDRAL MUSIC  Issue 02/05   1605: Treason and Dischord   William Byrd and the Gunpowder Plot   It would be too easy, and a serious mistake, for the purchaser to pass this by as just another old-style mixed ‘Tudor Church Music’ programme of Byrd, Dowland, Philips and Weelkes for voices, viols and lute, though...
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1605: Treason and Dischord - Classic FM

CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE  AUGUST 2005   1605: Treason and; Dischord   Modern appeals to Britain’s eternal sovereignty overlook the instability caused by James I’s accession to the English throne. This fascinating disc spotlights the conflict that almost blew the king and his parliament to high heaven four centuries ago, exploring the reluctance of...
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1605: Treason and Dischord : CLASSICALTODAY.COM

CLASSICALTODAY.COM 1605: Treason and Dischord  The King's Singers and Concordia  Sarah Baldock (organ)    The liner notes explain this program's premise, which at the very least is a novel way of presenting some excellent works of Byrd, Dowland, Weelkes, Dering, and Philips (all of whom lived at the time of the event in question) together...
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1605: Treason and Dischord: EARLY MUSIC AMERICA

EARLY MUSIC AMERICA Spring 2006  1605: Treason and Dischord  Concordia    Religious Persecution and a thwarted terrorist attack are odd subjects for a musical program, yet they provide the springboard for this cleverly conceived and brilliantly performed disc by the King’s Singers and the viol consort Concordia. The listener is taken to England, via the...
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1605 Treason and Dischord: INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW Choral  July   August 2005   1605 Treason and Dischord  The King's Singers and Concordia  Sarah Baldock (organ)   On November 5th, 1605 Guy Fawkes was apprehended while preparing to put a match to 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords. In  1605: Treason and Dischord' The King's Singers celebrate the quartercentenary...
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1605 Treason and Dischord: MUSICAL OPINION

MUSICAL OPINION In the Spotlight  July   August 2005   1605 Treason and Dischord  The King's Singers and Concordia  Sarah Baldock (organ)    1605 Treason and Dischord William Byrd and the Gunpowder Plot, The King's Singers and Concordia   Judith Monk investigates.   As the year rolls on we will no doubt encounter increasing numbers of events celebrating  ...
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1605 Treason and Dischord: The Times

The Times   11th May 2005  First Night Reviews   Richard Morrison at St Nicholas, Brighton   After 37 years the King’s Singers must be on their fourth and fifth generation of chirpy choral chappies. But wits are clearly still sharp in the world’s most durable boy-band. Case in pint? This touring programme, titled (with...
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Customer Reviews