Perfect as encores, or as a whole set, these arrangements give the modern wind quintet a chance to explore the exquisite contrapuntal writing of three Renaissance gems - motets by William Byrd and Claudio Monteverdi and a madrigal by Orlando Gibbons. The different timbre of each instrument of the quintet means that the imitation and interweaving of each 5 parts can be heard even more clearly than in their original setting for 5 voices. The original text is included in all three pieces, to inform the choices of articulation and phrasing for each player.