Musica Scotica Vol VIII: Robert Johnson - Domine in virtute tua (first version) [download]

Edited by Elaine Moohan and Kenneth Elliott.

From about 1540 in England, polyphonic settings of verses from the Psalms in Latin acquired something of the dimensions and function of the earlier votive antiphon. Domine in virtute tua (Psalm 20, set for five voices, SATTB) is one of Johnson’s three known examples of the form. This is a large-scale work, using consistently applied structural imitation throughout. The work is in two sections and repeats some of the opening music at the end. Johnson’s two five-voice settings use the same or very similar melodic material for each point of imitation but worked out in slightly different ways. Both are impressive examples of skilful imitative counterpoint.  This is the first version.

Musica Scotica Vol VIII: The Complete Works of Robert Johnson, the full volume available here.