About the composer
Of the four English composers from the Tudor period, the second half of the fifteenth
century, that are known to have composed a Stabat Mater (Ashwell, Browne, Cornyshe, Davy),
little is known about Browne. He was probably born before 1450 and died in Windsor, maybe
in 1498. The church music from this period is predominantly found in three choir books
that have survived, the most well-known being the Eton Choirbook. In these books three
Stabat Maters of Browne can be found, among which the Stabat Mater a 6. A copy of the
first page of this piece can be seen here (300 KB).
| Date | ± 1490 |
| Performers | Formally 6 voices (Soprano, Mezzo, 2 Countertenors, Tenor, Bass) On present-day recordings almost always interpreted by a larger choir (16 voices) |
| Length | 14.35 minutes (CD 1) and 15.10 (CD 2) |
| Particulars | From a CD-booklet: The florid surface detail of the music makes it difficult to discern the underlying structure. Yet, the elaborate melodic lines of this music is often build upon a simple plainsong, usually inaudible amidst the florid counterpoints, but determining the essentially decorative character of the other voices. The music avoids dissonances; the kaleidoscopic detail is always perfect harmonious. Fascinating is the way the voices sometimes float free and independent from each other, then join together in parallel motion. But nothing is predictable; all is exuberant variety. |
| Textual variations | The medieval English version of the text is used (see Texts: Latin) |
| CD 1 | Virgin 5 45272 2: Stabat Mater |
| About this CD | Four completely different settings of the Stabat Mater. A
"must" for every collector. The Brown Stabat Mater was recorded at St.John-at-Hackney, London, in November 1986. I bought this CD in a record shop in the Netherlands, 1997 |
| Choir | Taverner Choir |
| Conductor | Andrew Parrot |
| Other works | Gregorian Chant, Stabat Mater Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina, Stabat Mater Arvo Pärt, Stabat Mater |
| Added | 1997 (PÄR 01) |
| CD 2 | Meridian CDE 84175: Music from the Eton Choirbook. |
| About this CD | This CD brings to life some music from the Eton Choirbook,
one of the three choirbooks that survived from the fifteenth century. The music is
abundant in florid detail, so much that it is sometimes hard to hear the underlying
melody. Nevertheless, beautiful. I bought this CD in a record shop in the Netherlands, 1997 |
| Choir | The Sixteen |
| Conductor | Harry Christophers |
| Other works | Browne, Salve Regina Gregorian Chant, Nesciens Mater Cornyshe, Ave Maria Lambe, Stella Caeli Wylkynson, Salve Regina Davy, Stabat Mater |
| Added | 1997 (BROW) |
E-mail:
stabatmater@dds.nl