蜜芽传媒

As part of the Early Music Show's "Fretwork Weekend", Catherine Bott traces Sir Francis Drake's heroic circumnavigation of the Globe through a mixture of new and old music written and compiled by Orlando Gough and performed on viols by Fretwork.

"The World Encompassed" was commissioned by Fretwork, inspired by the knowledge that Drake had with him on board his ship, The Golden Hind, his own consort of viols, who would play for prayers and for entertainment. Fascinated by the diverse range of cultures and the different kinds of music that Drake would have witnessed, Fretwork invited composer Orlando Gough to blend a mixture of period viol pieces alongside new music that would evoke the period and the places and the adventures that Drake and his crew were known to have encountered. The result is a large scale piece called "The World Encompassed"; a depiction of Drake's voyage in music for viols. The programme features highlights from the piece.

Catherine Bott talks to Orlando Gough about the work, and about some of the colourful events from Drake's voyage. The music was recorded at a live concert given by Fretwork as part of the 2010 York Early Music Festival, from the Gallery of Harewood House. As well as items by Gough, "The World Encompassed" includes 16th Century music by John Taverner, Robert Parsons, Luys Milan, Orlando Mudarra and Christopher Tye.