Purcell: In Nomine à6

Description

Our edition of this impressive piece includes two sets of parts, for SSATTB and AATTBCb respectively.

Purcell’s 6-part In nomine, though written well after the heyday of such settings manages to infuse new life into a sixteenth-century form. In the opening section the material in all the parts is derived from the cantus firmus; after that the composer introduces a succession of different and contrasting motives.

This piece, like the better-known fantasias (which are now all published in this series) is found in the autograph manuscript British Library add.30930, dated 1680. No alterations have been made to the composer’s text, but a few ties (shown as dotted ties) have been added to the cantus firmus part.

In arranging this piece for recorders I have been able to stick quite closely to the original, apart from a few notes in the bass part, which have had to be transposed up an octave. Two alternative sets of parts come with the edition: one in the original key for SSATTB recorders, and one for AATTBCb. Ensembles that have a great bass recorder will generally find the lower version the more satisfactory.

(David Katz)