Early Baroque

[Dorsetmike]

Heard this work on Last.fm, by Christopher Gibbons, (1615-'76, son of Orlando Gibbons) his Voluntary in A

PDF score and an electronic sample at -

http://icking-music-archive.org/ByCo.../C.Gibbons.php

I've downloaded the PDF and currently converting it to musicxml for import to Finalé, and will hopefully record it later on Grand Orgue to post here. The MIDI file of the sample is not really useable as an import being a bit "simplified" compared to the PDF score.

It sounds to me as though there is still a considerable similarity to some Elizabethan music in the structure.

[GoneBaroque]

Thank you Mike. I am acquainted with Orlando, but was not familiar with his son.

[Dorsetmike]

attached is an MP3 of the Gibbons voluntary.

cgibbonsvolA.mp3

Would appreciate comments on tempo (crotchet =80) and registration. Only used 2 manuals, no pedal, think that might be too heavy.

I did try =40 but that dragged too much, whereas =120 was way too rushed.

[wljmrbill]

Mike.. I find that tempo within the scope of what I would consider for a voluntary.. usually an andante for my tast which is in area of 76. Nice sounding piece. Thanks for posting.

[Nikam]

attached is an MP3 of the Gibbons voluntary.

cgibbonsvolA.mp3

Would appreciate comments on tempo (crotchet =80) and registration. Only used 2 manuals, no pedal, think that might be too heavy.

I did try =40 but that dragged too much, whereas =120 was way too rushed.

Think the speed is dictated somewhat by the demisemiquavers. Like the piece and have printed it. Thanks!

[GoneBaroque]

Mike I find your tempo to be about right. I also think that you are correct about the using only the two manuals. Pedal would have made it much too heavy. Particularly as pedals on English organs were very rare during Gibbon's time according to anything I have read about organs in that period. When I find the time I plan to post a little something on the history of the pedal in English organ building.