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For brass band ensemble
Duration: 6 minutes
Antiphonary is inspired by Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, the oldest building in the country still lived in by the same family who built it over 900 years ago; the title refers to the Berkeley family antiphonary, a large and beautifully illuminated book of liturgical texts and chants dating back to around1457. The music traces an historical timeline of the castle’s history and also incorporates excerpts from Vivaldi arias (thought to be the only known copies) from his opera La Costanza Degli-amori e de gl’odii (The triumphant constancy of love and hate), found in the castle muniments in 2002.
As a modern visitor, I was interested in the historical timeline which traces the castle’s history from its Norman origins to present day existence as a family home, tourist attraction and wedding venue. Musical influences include 18th or 19th century harness bells displayed in the 14th century Buttery (used on horse drawn vehicles so that visitors could be heard in darkness or fog), a Picture Gallery painting ‘Old Berkeley Find in Bricket Wood’ circa 1820 ascribed to Ben Marshall(1767-1835), and the magnificent Great Hall with its beautiful tapestries, stained glass windows and minstrel’s gallery. At the heart of the castle is the Morning Room, formerly the Chapel of St Mary, where a glass cabinet displays the Berkeley family antiphonary.
Excerpts from the Vivaldiarias are incorporated throughout the work in the flugelhorn. The jaunty melody of Dentro al sen del sol ch’adoro (Deep within the sun that I adore)evolves from the texture after an introductory slow section where other extracts are quoted or alluded to: Lascia almen che ti consegni (At least let you surrender), Parto con questa speme (I leave with this hope) and Per Scorgere (To forsee truth).
Antiphonary waswritten to help promote awareness of the castle through the Friends of Berkeley Castle, a group dedicated to supporting the castle's Charitable Trust by meansof the preservation, conservation and restoration for the public benefit of Berkeley Castle, its contents and its gardens. I am grateful to Mr David Smith, Berkeley Castle Archivist, for his research insights, the late Mr John Berkeley for his permission to use quotations from the Vivaldi manuscripts, and Mr Charles Berkeley for his continuing support of the music.
Liz Lane, April 2016 and July 2025
www.lizlane.co.uk
Instrumentation
Soprano Cornet / Cornet 1
Cornet 2 / Flugelhorn
Cornet 3
Cornet 4 (also tambourine if no Percussion 2)
Tenor Horn
Baritone
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
Eb Bass
Percussion 1: timpani, drum kit
Percussion 2 (optional): glockenspiel, bass drum,tambourine (or cahon), cymbals
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Antiphonary was commissioned for the Cardiff New Brass Festival 2011 and first performed by the Symphonic Brass of the RAF, Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral, 10 June 2011.
This version for brass band ensemble was arranged for The Cooperative Band at the request of conductor Katrina Marzella, and performed at Marchmount Music, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Marchmount St Giles’ Parish Church Centre, 2 August 2025.