News in the early-music world...

The weekend (4th & 5th October) proved to be an exciting one in Worcester - Thomas Tomkins' home city, where he was himself organist. Choral evensong on Saturday was a dedication service for the new Quire organ, and that was followed later in the evening by a dedication recital, given by Thomas Trotter. His amazing virtuosity is well-known, but there is no substitute for hearing and (courtesy of the large screen) seeing it live and in close-up. For an admittedly eclectic instrument being asked to do a number of things, the new organ certainly has some superb colours. Appropriately, a piece by Tomkins was on the programme. The next day saw the premiere of a new double organ mass by Worcester Cathedral's own organist, Adrian Lucas.

This summer saw just the sort of event that Thomas Tomkins (and almost every other leading musician of the period) would surely approve of heartily: an event that sees keyboard instruments as complimentary. This was an extremely interesting and valuable study-day given by Terence Charlston under the combined auspices of the St Giles Organ School and the British Clavichord Society. A fuller report can be read on this website.

 

News of the Society...

The Thomas Tomkins Society seeks to pursue interests of all kinds in the music and instruments of the English Renaissance and its context. We aim to encourage the performance and enjoyment of Tomkins' music (and the music of a range of other composers) at all levels - from beginner to advanced, amateur or professional. We clearly need a Society dedicated to giving him 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 welcome to join 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.