The Eton Choirbook (Eton College MS. 178) is a richly illuminated manuscript collection of English sacred music composed during the late 15th century. It was one of very few collections of Latin liturgical music to survive the Reformation, and hence is an important source. It originally contained music by 24 different composers; however, many of the pieces are damaged or incomplete. It is one of three large choirbooks surviving from early-Tudor England (the others are the Lambeth Choirbook and the Caius Choirbook).
The Choirbook was compiled between approximately 1500 and 1505 for use at Eton College; its present binding dates from the mid 16th century. 126 folios remain of the original 224, including the index. In the original, there were a total of 93 separate compositions; however only 64 remain either complete or in part. Some of the 24 composers are known only because of their inclusion in the Eton Choirbook. John Browne has the most compositions (10), followed by Richard Davy (9) and Walter Lambe (8).
Stylistically, the music contained in the Eton Choirbook shows three phases in the development of early Renaissance polyphony in England. The first phase is represented by the music of Richard Hygons, William Horwood and Gilbert Banester. Most of the music of this early phase is polyphonic but non-imitative, with contrast achieved by alternation of full five-voice texture with sections sung by fewer voices. The second phase, which includes music by John Browne, Richard Davy and Walter Lambe, uses imitation, cantus firmus techniques, and frequent cross-relations (a feature which was to become a distinctive sound in early Tudor polyphony). The final phase represented in the choirbook includes music by William Cornysh and Robert Fayrfax, composed around 1500. Points of imitation are frequent, cantus firmus techniques disappear, and in general the sound of the music is more Continental.
The EtonChoirbook (Eton College MS. 178) is a richly illuminated manuscript collection of English sacred music composed during the late 15th century....
by families or institutions. EtonChoirbook Caius Choirbook Lambeth Choirbook Pepys Choirbook Leiden choirbooksChoirbooks at San Millán de la Cogolla...
(c.1950) for soprano and piano other works for organ and piano The EtonChoirbook (Musica Britannica, volumes 10–12) (London, 1956–61; second edition...
the EtonChoirbook. Also the Lambeth Choirbook and the Caius Choirbook include his works. Born in Salisbury, Lambe was elected King's Scholar at Eton College...
accusation was. He may not be the composer of the music found in the EtonChoirbook, which may alternatively be by his father, also named William Cornysh...
Wilkinson) (ca. 1450 – Eton after 1515) was one of the composers of the EtonChoirbook. Wylkynson became parish clerk of Eton in 1496, then in 1500 he...
Horwood c. 1430 – 1484 English Some of his music is collected in the EtonChoirbook. Eloy d'Amerval fl. 1455–1508 French Johannes Tinctoris c. 1435 – 1511...
found in the Lambeth and EtonChoirbooks, but not in the Caius Choirbook. Other composers represented in the Caius Choirbook include William Cornysh,...
Allsop, (later Assistant Organist at Worcester Cathedral and Organist at Eton College) 2004–2010 Stuart Nicholson, (later Organist and Master of Choristers...
found in the Lambeth Choirbook. Another six-part setting, this of the Gaude virgo mater Christi, may be found in the EtonChoirbook; its voices cover a...
numerous named and anonymous composers in sources such as the EtonChoirbook and the Caius Choirbook, among the few collections of English music to survive from...
in the EtonChoirbook. The book is now housed in Lambeth Palace Library under the reference MS 1. HOASM.org Skinner, David: The Arundel Choirbook (London...
an English composer, whose two surviving works are preserved in the EtonChoirbook. These two works are a five-part Magnificat and a seven-part Gaude flore...
1568) 1500: estimated – John Browne, English composer of music from the EtonChoirbook (born c. 1453) 1501: February 17 – Stephan Plannck, German music printer...
Seven Letters and Alpha and Omega. Their latest album, Music from the EtonChoirbook (Naxos 8.572840), was recorded using a new microphone technique developed...
The largest collection of such antiphons is in the late 15th century Etonchoirbook. Carols developed in the 14th century as simple songs with a verse and...
composer, organist and choirmaster, one of the most represented in the EtonChoirbook. Little is known about the life of Richard Davy. His name was a common...
voices augmented by Etonians, Grenadier Guards and members of the Windsor and Eton Choral Society. Jars of Argentinian honey, sent to Windsor by overseas subjects...
Széchényi Könyvtár, Cod. Lat. 417 (Philostratus Corvina) Eton, Eton College MS. 178 (EtonChoirbook) Vatican City, Apostolic Library, Chigiana, C. VIII. 234...
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