The Oxford Book of English Madrigals was edited by Philip Ledger, and published in 1978 by the Oxford University Press. It contains words and full music for some 60 of the madrigals and songs of the English Madrigal School.
When selecting works for this book, Ledger decided to represent the major composers of 16th-century English music such as William Byrd and Thomas Morley with several madrigals, alongside individual works by lesser-known composers. Ledger collaborated with Andrew Parker, a musicologist from King's College, Cambridge, who researched texts to the songs and supplemented the collection with annotations and critical commentary.
In 1978, the choral group Pro Cantione Antiqua released a recording, directed by Ledger, of selected songs from this book.
Contents The collection contains the following madrigals:
Composer Madrigal Thomas Bateson Those sweet delightful lilies John Bennet All creatures now John Bennet Weep, O mine eyes William Byrd Lullaby, my sweet little baby William Byrd This sweet and merry month of May William Byrd Though Amaryllis dance Michael Cavendish Come, gentle swains Michael East Poor is the life Michael East Quick, quick, away, dispatch! Michael East (*No haste, but good!) John Farmer Fair nymphs, I heard one telling John Farmer Fair Phyllis I saw Giles Farnaby Consture my meaning Orlando Gibbons Ah, dear heart Orlando Gibbons Dainty fine bird Orlando Gibbons Oh that the learned poets Orlando Gibbons The Silver Swan Orlando Gibbons Trust not too much, fair youth Orlando Gibbons What is our life? Thomas Greaves Come away sweet love George Kirbye See what a maze of error Thomas Morley April is in my mistress' face Thomas Morley Fyer, fyer! Thomas Morley Hard by a crystal fountain Thomas Morley I love, alas, I love thee Thomas Morley Leave, alas, this tormenting Thomas Morley My bonny lass she smileth Thomas Morley Now is the month of maying Thomas Morley Sing we and chant it Thomas Morley Though Philomela lost her love Thomas Morley Whither away so fast Robert Ramsey Sleep, fleshly birth Thomas Tomkins Adieu, ye city-prisoning towers Thomas Tomkins Music divine Thomas Tomkins Oh yes, has any found a lad? Thomas Tomkins See, see the shepherds' queen Thomas Tomkins Too much I once lamented Thomas Vautor Mother, I will have a husband Thomas Vautor Sweet Suffolk owl John Ward Come sable night John Ward Out from the vale Thomas Weelkes As Vesta was Thomas Weelkes Come, sirrah Jack, ho! Thomas Weelkes Hark, all ye lovely saints Thomas Weelkes O care, thou wilt despatch me Thomas Weelkes (*Hence care, thou art too cruel) Thomas Weelkes Since Robin Hood Thomas Weelkes Sing we at pleasure Thomas Weelkes Strike it up, tabor Thomas Weelkes Thule, the period of cosmography Thomas Weelkes (*The Andalusian merchant) Thomas Weelkes Thus sings my dearest jewel John Wilbye Adieu, sweet Amaryllis John Wilbye Draw on, sweet night John Wilbye Flora gave me fairest flowers John Wilbye Lady, when I behold John Wilbye O what shall I do John Wilbye Sweet honey-sucking bees John Wilbye (*Yet, sweet, take heed) John Wilbye Weep, weep, mine eyes
(*) = second parts
See also Early music of the British Isles The Triumphs of Oriana Morley's famous collection of 1601
References
External links Copy on Archive.org