Merbecke The Office For The Holy Communion
Sheet Music

Choral

SKU: BT.MUSNOV442784

Composed by John Merbecke. Parish Choir Book. Sacred. Book Only. Novello & Co Ltd. #MUSNOV442784. Published by Novello & Co Ltd. (BT.MUSNOV442784).

Composer and Organist John Merbecke lived in interesting times. He was born soon after the beginning of the 16th century and spent his whole life in service of music at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. In 1543 he wasarrested for heresy and sentenced to death, but received a royal pardon, unlike the three others with whom he was arrested. He returned to his position at Windsor and began work on a concordance of the English Bible to replace theone that had been destroyed when he was arrested. The Book of Common Praier Noted was published in 1550, at a time when the continued use of plainchant was controversial. Here, Merbecke sets the chants, but in English ratherthanLatin.As a piece of history, for students of monody, and as a part of the church's heritage, Merbecke's setting is invaluable.