This piece by Marenzio had been on my wishlist for a while, after I’d heard it on numerous broadcasts at Epiphany time. It came round in the Epiphany Carol service at Bath Abbey this year. More florid in style than contemporary pieces by English composers. I thought I’d not sung anything else by him (this seems to be the only sacred piece by him that is much performed), but on checking my records found a couple of other anthems. A good way to start the year, anyway.
Other pieces included Dove’s Seek him that maketh the seven stars (sadly we didn’t get the full effect of this as the Abbey has a toaster temporarily installed), Howells’ Here is the little door, Leighton’s setting of the Coventry Carol, Tchaikovsky’s The Crown of Roses, and a reprise of Elgar’s The Spirit of the Lord which we sang at last year’s ordination. They were interspersed with prayers, Bible readings and hymns (with, unusually for the Abbey, a couple of bloopers where choir and congregation were singing significantly different words from one another!)