The whole booke of psalmes: with the hymnes evangelicall, and songs spirituall. Composed into 4. parts by sundry authors, with such seuerall tunes as haue beene, and are vsually sung in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Italy, France, and the Nether-lands: neuer as yet before in one volumne published. Also: 1 A briefe abstract of the prayse, efficacie, and vertue of the psalmes. 2 That all clarkes of churches may know what tune each proper psalme may be sung to. Newly corrected and enlarged by Tho: Rauenscroft Bachelar of Musicke.
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1907.
PML 15187
Jesse Erickson:
It was with meticulous care that Thomas Ravenscroft edited the definitive English psalter, ensuring the inclusion of beloved classics like the “Old One Hundredth.” As you take in the harmonization crafted by the skilled lutenist and composer John Dowland, take a moment to recognize the melodic foundation established with Calvin’s gifted protégé, Loys Bourgeois. In Ravenscroft’s Whole Book of Psalmes, a collection of four-part settings, the psalms were presented with the tune placed in the tenor voice, offering a harmonious symphony of praise.
Ravenscroft’s psalter of 1621 documents his commitment to present the psalms in rich four-part harmonies. Each voice played a vital role, with the tune resounding from the tenor, creating a cohesive musical experience. These harmonious settings invite you to explore the lasting beauty and power of the psalms, each note resonating with profound meaning and devotion. The symphony of voices signifies a belief in the transformative power of sacred music. Here is a version of the music sung by the Calvin Choir.