Wikipedia:Today's featured article/January 10, 2023

Parsley's memorial in Norwich Cathedral
Parsley's memorial in Norwich Cathedral

Osbert Parsley (1510/1511–1585) was an English Renaissance composer and chorister who wrote mainly church music for both the Latin and English rites, as well as instrumental music. He was a boy chorister at Norwich Cathedral, where he spent his musical career. He was first mentioned as a lay clerk, was appointed a "singing man" around 1534, and was probably the cathedral's unofficial organist for half a century. His works include the elegant polyphonic Conserva me, domine, two Morning Services, an Evening Service, and the five-part Lamentations. His Latin settings are considered to be more fluent and attractive than those to be sung in English. His instrumental music, nearly all for viols, included six consort pieces. Some of his incomplete instrumental music has survived. He died in Norwich in 1585 and was buried in Norwich Cathedral, where he has a commemorative plaque (pictured). Compositions that have been recorded include his Lamentations and Spes Nostra. (Full article...)

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