The compositions of Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625) include works in virtually every genre of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Due to his sudden and early death, Gibbons' output was not as large as that of his older contemporary William Byrd,[1] but he still managed to produce various secular and sacred polyphonic vocal works, including consort songs, services, more than 40 full anthems and verse anthems, a set of 20 madrigals as well as at least 20 keyboard works and various instrumental ensemble pieces including nearly 30 fantasies for viols. He is well known for the 5-part verse anthem This Is the Record of John, the 8-part full anthem O Clap Your Hands Together, 2 settings of Evensong and what is often thought to be the best known English madrigal: The Silver Swan.[2]
- ^ Fellowes 1951, p. 55.
- ^ Harley 1999, pp. 291–301.