Early Anthem Time

 

Anthems are usually associated with national anthems such as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 

It usually represents a group, a country, or a movement. An anthem can also be a sacred song. When Tomoko played for Catholic services, she included anthems in her repertoire.

Church-based anthems go back as far as the 16^th century, and they were quite popular with the advent of the Reformation. Most of the lyrics are drawn from the Bible. English composers developed two kinds of anthem: a “full” anthem that was sung by an entire choir, and a “verse” anthem in which verses were sung by soloists and the chorus was sung by the whole choir. Some of the earliest famous English composers (all lived before 1700) of religious anthems follow.

 Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) wrote mainly English High Renaissance choral music. He composed and played the organ for Henry VIII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Although a Roman Catholic, we wrote anthems for both Catholics and the Church of England. He was one of the first composers to write anthems set to English words.

 William Byrd (1543-1623) was taught by Thomas Tallis, and both of them had a monopoly on printing music within England. Byrd composed in several forms: sacred and secular vocals, consort music, and keyboard pieces. He is considered one of the great Renaissance composers.

Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) is known for writing pieces for the virginal and the organ. He built upon Byrd’s madrigal forms as well as composed full and verse anthems. He was one of the youngest contributors to the first printed collection of English keyboard music. His most famous verse anthem is “This is the Record of John.”

 Henry Purcell (1659-1695) composed Baroque music. Besides being considered one of the best English opera composers, he is also known for writing sacred music. He wrote his first anthem, “Lord Who Can Tell,” at age 19. Two of his best anthems were written for King James II coronation.

Political Musical Pieces

 

Music has often been associated with patriotism and politics. Certainly national anthems have inspired a sense of unity. Politicians have also used music to excite citizens: think of “The Marseillaise.” Here are some more examples.

Even in the 18^th century, music could affirm a country’s leader. Handle’s piece Zadok the Priest was written to confirm England’s George II’s confirmation as kind.

Sadly, but effectively, Beethoven’s and Wagner’s music were used to sway the German people to affirm their superiority and that of Hitler.

On the other hand, Chopin’s Polonaise was broadcast on the radio during World War II to rally the Polish people against Hitler’s invasion. That piece earlier stirred the Poles in 1848 to revolution.

While Messiaen was a World War II prisoner of war in Germany, he composed Quartet for the End of Time, which moved even the camp’s soldiers and resulted in his escape.

Likewise, Shostakovich’s Leningrad symphony referred to World War II invasion and war. The piece was first broadcast throughout the city while the Soviets and Germans fought – although the battle paused to hear the music.

Most recently, Catherine Likhuta’s 2017 composition Bad Neighbors was commissioned when Russia started invading Ukraine. The piece evokes fighting and dialogue, and calls for freedom and peace.

In short, composers and their music can stir people to action.