The hymns and responds of John Sheppard

Abstract

The Office hymns and responds of John Sheppard make up the major part of his compositional output. With few exceptions, very little music for the Office by other composers remains, so his work is of especial interest. Biographical details about Sheppard are scant, but he was closely associated with two important musical institutions: Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was informator choristarum, and the Chapel Royal, where he served as a Gentleman. The liturgy of the church had a profound effect upon musical composition and this study considers the music in its historical context. The background to Magdalen College and the Chapel Royal is considered and the development of the Office respond is traced. Sheppard's technique of composition and the problems associated with editing and interpreting this music are discussed.