Thule, the Period of Cosmography and The Andalusian Merchant (mp3)

Performed by the dwsChorale, this is "Thule, the period of Cosmography (and The Andalusian merchant)" - a six-voice madrigal by Thomas Weelkes. The interpretation of this piece points to Iceland, indicated by the mention of Hecla (Hekla), even though Thule now alludes to various remote locations. The title suggests that Iceland is the boundary of the charted world. The composition praises its volcano Hecla, whose fiery sulfur melts the ice and warms the heavens. It insinuates that even the flames of Etna on Sicily do not rise higher than this.