William Byrd (1540 or late 1539 –1623) was one of the most celebrated Engli… Read Full Bio ↴William Byrd (1540 or late 1539 –1623) was one of the most celebrated English composers in the Renaissance.
He lived until well into the seventeenth century without writing music in the new Baroque fashion, but his superbly constructed keyboard works marked the beginning of the Baroque organ and harpsichord style. Byrd's life is interesting because of his Roman Catholic sympathies combined with his work in the court of the Anglican Queen Elizabeth I.
He composed much music, if intermittently, for the Roman Catholic liturgy, particularly in his later years; the two volumes of Gradualia are a prime example. Possibly as a result of this he did not receive widespread recognition in his lifetime, but was very well respected among the Roman Catholic gentry. In the anti-Catholic frenzy following the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, the first volume of the Gradualia (1605), was banned in England under penalty of imprisonment, as indeed was all of his Catholic music; however, his Anglican music - such as the Short Service, and the Responses - has been sung in English cathedrals uninterrupted for the past four centuries.
He lived until well into the seventeenth century without writing music in the new Baroque fashion, but his superbly constructed keyboard works marked the beginning of the Baroque organ and harpsichord style. Byrd's life is interesting because of his Roman Catholic sympathies combined with his work in the court of the Anglican Queen Elizabeth I.
He composed much music, if intermittently, for the Roman Catholic liturgy, particularly in his later years; the two volumes of Gradualia are a prime example. Possibly as a result of this he did not receive widespread recognition in his lifetime, but was very well respected among the Roman Catholic gentry. In the anti-Catholic frenzy following the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, the first volume of the Gradualia (1605), was banned in England under penalty of imprisonment, as indeed was all of his Catholic music; however, his Anglican music - such as the Short Service, and the Responses - has been sung in English cathedrals uninterrupted for the past four centuries.
Mass for four voices
William Byrd Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by William Byrd:
attollite portas Attollite portas, principes, vestras, et elevamini, portae a…
Ave Verum Corpus Ave verum Corpus natum de maria virgine. Vere passum immolat…
Ne irascaris Domine Ne irascaris Domine satis, et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis…
Ne irascaris, Domine Ne irascaris Domine satis, et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis…
The Great Service: Nunc Dimittis Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to…
Tribue Domine Tribue Domine, ut donec in hoc fragili corpore positus sum, …
Tribue, Domine Tribue Domine, ut donec in hoc fragili corpore positus sum, …
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Nicolai Selck
this is so captivating. I was going to bed, and then I found this randomly. It's a problem really - Im working early tomorrow, and I can not turn music this off
Gabrielle Trenbath
Same
Elisa Danese
listen to it again! now!
EuroDragon71
I am thinking about my silent generation parents, who gave us the gift of life late in their lives. They also gave us the gift of music early in our lives. They had us sing, play piano, strings and woodwinds in our house to entertain guests during Christmas. Now there’s no music in the house. But this William Byrd compilation is thankfully bringing me back to my beloved childhood with the music we experienced.
DieFlabbergast
This is one of the most sublimely beautiful pieces of music ever written.
Mark Sanderson
Particularly the Agnus Dei
Brooklin Funkproject
Strangely enough also one of the first! (actually written down).... I agree
Adam Redman
yes it is sublime. I lost my CD of this 25 years ago. Was wonderful to rediscover it here. When I was younger I played this too loudly. Years later I bumped into an elderly woman who by chance who was my neighbor back at that time. She said: "Oh! You must be the boy that played the beautiful music. What was it? It has haunted me ever since and I must hear it again!"
DieFlabbergast
How right you are: I don't even know who he or she is; but I can guess.
Rev
DieFlabbergast you have never listened to Tupac then