News...

This year's season of concerts and recitals at Worcester Cathedral (Thomas Tomkins' own cathedral throughout most of his adult life) began with new sources of interest when James Luxton was inspired to use the Cathedral's chamber organ to play Tomkins and the antique 'Handel' organ to play Byrd, with both dexterity and sensitivity - much to the delight of his audience. The series continues. The new season of organ recitals at the neighbouring St Swithun's Church, Worcester will this year feature both the 1795 Gray organ and the reconstructed Tudor 'Wetheringsett' organ. The opening recital will be given by Henry Fairs on Friday 7th June 1.10pm.

About the Forum...

The Thomas Tomkins Forum seeks to pursue interests of all kinds in the music of the English Renaissance and its contexts: the immediate musical and cultural contexts of Tomkins, and the various appropraite wider contexts: Renaissance music, early music, keyboard music, choral music, English music...

We aim to encourage interest in and enjoyment of Tomkins' music (and the music of a range of other composers) at all levels. We clearly need a Forum dedicated to giving Tomkins the recognition he deserves as one of England's finest composers - and to fostering interest in the English Virginalists generally.

Anyone interested in Tomkins, in early music, in keyboard instruments, in choral music, consort music, or in the wider musical and cultural contexts of Renaissance England and its European parallels, is most welcrome to contact us.

The image to the left is a watercolour of the church at Martin Hussingtee (the village where Tomkins spent the last part of his life); the picture is owned by the Worcestershire Record Office and is used by their kind permission. The copyright owner has not been identified: anyone with a claim should contact us.