The silver swan - Orlando Gibbons, John Rutter, The Cambridge Singers

'The silver swan'
From the album ‘Stillness and Sweet Harmony’
Composer Orlando Gibbons
Conductor John Rutter
Choir The Cambridge Singers
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LYRICS:
The silver swan, who living had no note
When death approached unlocked her silent throat;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
Farewell, all joys; O death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.
(Words of unknown authorship)
The silver swan
Published in Gibbons' only secular collection: The First Set of Madrigals and Mottets (1612). Most of its contents being in the style of consort songs, noteworthy for rather serious and melancholy texts.
Stillness and Sweet Harmony
From the wealth of music spanning over ten centuries recorded by the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter has selected fifteen serene and tranquil tracks from Collegium albums: the Gregorian chant 'Alma Redemptoris Mater', John Wilbye’s madrigal 'Draw on, sweet night', the 'Pie Jesu', from Fauré's Requiem, Allegri's soaring 'Miserere', and many more. This is music to bring peace.
John Rutter, English composer and conductor, is associated with choral music throughout the world. His recordings with the Cambridge Singers (the professional chamber choir he set up in 1983) have reached a wide global audience, many of them featuring his own music in definitive versions. Among John’s best-known choral works are Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, and Visions, together with many church anthems, choral songs and Christmas carols.
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[@barbpew4424]

A favorite for more than 50 years. More geese than swans now live. More fools than wise.

[@charlessawyer6123]

Also a favourite for me for a half century. The sop rules in this recording.

[@beatrizdokkedal3224]

MARAVILHOSO!!!