Richard Farrant

Singing in the chorus for Edward VI and Mary Tudor, Farrant became a composer and musician as a Master of the Chapel Royal in Windsor. His compositions included a number of secular consort songs, and dramatic pieces for the Queen to be presented every winter. Unfortunately none of Farrant's plays are extant but some titles through reference have been preserved (Ajax and Ulysses, Quintus Fabius, and King Xerxes). Two songs that are known -- from Ajax and another dramatic work dealing with Panthea -- were written for a solo voice with an assumed viol accompaniment. Farrant's important liturgical works survive and were set in a chordal harmony. They demonstrate a keen insight into pathos and temper. Musically the anthems are not of great interest but the structure of one is unique. The extant anthem -- Call to Remembrance -- is the earliest of its kind, a verse anthem. The simple melodic line is repeated by a solo voice in meane and the last verse is sung with the SATB in combination. ~ Keith Johnson