A Ffancy for Double Orgaine

Orlando Gibbons (1583 – 1625) was born in the same year as his great Italian contemporary Frescobaldi. He came from a musical family and was Organist of the Chapel Royal for 21 years. He was also appointed organist at Westminster Abbey in 1623.


During his lifetime, Gibbons was acclaimed as the greatest keyboard player in the country and this Ffancy for Double Orgaine is evidence of his grasp of keyboard technique, his mastery of ornamentation and his closely-knit contrapuntal style.

The ‘Double Organ’ refers to the Great and Chaire Organs. Both hands play on the Chaire organ at the beginning and from time to time the left hand goes to the Great manual. Finally at 4'35, both hands play the Great Organ.