William Cornysh
About the composer
William Cornysh (1465-1523), born in East Greenwich, London, was not only a composer, but also a dramatist, an actor and a poet.
In his only surviving poem, which was written in the Fleet prison, he claims that he has been convicted by false information and thus wrongly accused, though it is not known what the accusation was.
The music of Cornysh, like Browne’s, is almost completely found in the Eton Choirbook. His musical output shows considerable variety. On the one hand he contributed to the last and most florid style of the Renaissance, but on the other he must have realized that this could go no further, beginning to simplify his music.
Cornysh had a prestigious employment at court, as Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal, which he fulfilled until his death.
About the Stabat Mater
| Date: | ca. 1500 |
| Performers: | Formally 5 voices (Soprano, Mezzo, Countertenor, Tenor, Bass) On present-day recordings almost always interpreted by a larger choir. |
| Length: | 15.42 minutes |
| Particulars: | From the CD-booklet: The Stabat Mater is a masterpiece which contains frequent contrasts between ornate and simpler passages: these juxtapositions are something of a specialty of Cornysh's. In general his style is less introverted than that of Browne. Cornysh always seemed to be striving for the most brilliant effect, or the most pathetic tone. |
| Textual variations: | The medieval English text is used (See Texts: Latin) |
| Colour bar: |
|
Information about the recording
| CD1: | Gimell CDGIM 014: William Cornysh, Stabat Mater |
| More info: | |
| Choir: | The Tallish Scholars |
| Conductor: | Peter Phillips |
| Other works: | Salve Regina |
| Code: | 1997 (COR 01) |
| CD2: | Stabat Mater 2007 A Capella |
| More info: | This cd is a recording of a concert performed on March 25, 2007 in the St.Petrus church at Oirschot. The CD is produced by the Stabat Mater Foundation. |
| Choir: | Dutch Chamber Choir |
| Conductor: | Klaas Stok |
| Other works: | Franz Wüllner, Stabat Mater |
| Code: | 2007 (WULL 01) |
