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The complete medieval Office of Compline (sung in English), plus a selection of meditative motets from the sixteenth century by Sheppard, Tallis, Byrd and White. Compline is the English form of the Latin word completus, meaning 'completed'. It is now usually spelt with a final 'e' which, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is 'modern and unhistorical'. In medieval monastic and collegiate communities, it was the last of the seven daytime services, sung in mid-evening. The service is recorded here with the omission of some of the psalms and is followed by music either for Compline or with texts and music of an appropriate mood.

The Choir of Clare College

Timothy Brown | Director