In Nomine (in 11/4) by John Bull

Michael Maxwell Steer plays one of the most remarkable musical experiments of the 16thC, recorded live at a concert in Handel House, London on 5 July 2007. This compositional tour de force by John Bull (1562-1628 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bull_(composer)) compares with Tallis's Felix Namque http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgAb2AjkgWE in its extended use of a plainsong cantus firmus. However Bull does something which was unique at the time by making every third bar 3 beats within an otherwise 4 beat piece. This has has the effect of making a cycle of 11 beats. Nobody before Stravinsky ever experimented with irregular bars, certainly not in the 16thC. But it's not a stunt, it's also a wonderful piece. The piece comes from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. For more about Michael Maxwell Steer visit http://msteer.co.uk/edu/3temperament.htm