There is a common belief that England has produced few composers of good standing. I do not think that this is really the problem. In fact, the problem is that we are not looking far enough back along the musical map. An entire generation of practically untouched English composers can be found in the 16th century, many of which are masters of their genre. Thomas Tallis is of course the big beast of his day, but what about Thomas Weelkes or Morley? Orlando Gibbons is a personal favourite of mine, please download his "This Is The Record Of John", it's so beautiful. Then there are many, many more composers to be "discovered", as on the tacky "classical" compilations one can buy, (or merely get free out of the "Daily Mail") these are not featured. John Blow is another (particularly his Salvator Mundi) or Dowland, Byrd, Tavener, or Tomkins. In my opinion, these composers kick ***! Is there anyone out there who feels the same way? Most of their pieces are vocal church music, but it certainly strikes a chord within me that nothing else does, and that includes many of the great later romantic giants and classical kings. I think it is because they retain a sense of the medieval bareness, which is in itself spine-tingling, but infuse it with a sense of baroquesque elegance that is, in my opinion, completely unsurpassable!