This Anthology of carefully edited late Renaissance keyboard pieces draws from one of the most important historical manuscripts of all time: The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book (c.1562-1612). Indeed, this was the first collection of keyboard pieces ever to be published in England, during a period when notational practices were undergoing important developments.

Originally holding some 300 pieces, there are representations from the likes of William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, John Bull, Peter Philips and Giles Farnaby. This new piano-friendly publication contains 60 cherry-picked pieces, offering a glimpse into the quirky sophistication typicalof keyboard music at this time.

It is intended as a performance edition for the pianist and teacher not acquainted with the myriad notational idiosyncrasies and shortcomings of presentation that have hitherto prevailed. None of the pieces have been abridged or simplified, but dynamics, articulation, tempo and expressionsuggestions, alongside pertinent ideas for pedalling and fingering, all encourage the player towards a musical approach that can really bring these ancient pieces to life on the modern instrument.

Time signatures and key signatures have been pragmatically applied, reducing the often confusing appearance of the manuscript. This Anthology presently contains roughly one fifth of the music in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book; it nonetheless constitutes the most comprehensive piano-friendly selection to have come into print since the last of the pieces was composed, some 400 years ago.

An informative historical and stylistic commentary is included at the back of the book.