Comments on ANON. XXII. Praeludium. (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book)

The prelude by an anonymous composer is listed as number 22 in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. It is an extremely short and very beautiful piece. It consists of a manageable, simple harmonic sequence, which is almost consistently designed with a drive, with passages, mainly scales and scale excerpts. That is done very effectively. There are always small moments of arrival when the destination points of the passages are reached, but these then also serve as the starting point for the next passage.

There are quite a number of such small pieces, especially by John Bull, also a little by William Byrd, which are designed in a very similar way, and then a few compositions by anonymous composers.

This is reminiscent of the Italian Toccata technique. You have practically harmonious processes, i.e. sounds, vertical thoughts that are connected or pervaded by horizontal passages and melodic structures. Obviously the English composers knew the Italian masters quite well. It is reminiscent of what we know from Merulo and Andrea Gabrieli.

It should not be forgotten that this type of design, i.e. simple harmony with virtuoso passages, is also often used at the end of longer works; as it were, as a final increase, as a Stretta. One may particularly like to mention the second composition on Felix namque by Thomas Tallis,

but certainly also applies to other compositions, not only in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. This can also be observed with Iberian composers, especially in the seventeenth century. So much for the comments for this time. Thank you for your attention and interest.

Comments on ANON. XXII. Praeludium. (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book) https://rumble.com/vjuqc3-anonymous-xxii-prludium-vii.html?mref=kc9l5&mc=cisi9

Sources / Credits
J. Fuller Maitland & W. B. Squire: Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, Dover Music Puusblications, 1979/80
https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/file/mu-ms-168-folio-416-verso-and-417-recto