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.
Though Amaryllis dance in green
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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@fernandophilos6406
Though Amarillis daunce in green,
like Fayrie Queene,
and sing full cleere,
Corina can with smiling cheer:
yet since their eyes make hart so sore,
hey ho, chill love no more.
My sheepe are lost for want of food,
and I so wood:
that all the day,
I sit and watch a heardmaid gaye:
who laughes to see mee sigh so sore,
hey ho, chill love no more.
Love yee who list I force him not,
sith God it wot,
the more I wayle,
the lesse my sighes and teares prevaile,
what shall I doe but say therefore,
hey ho, chill love no more.
@warrenmoulton4460
I haven't heard this piece since we sang it in college 30+ years ago. Your performance brought such joy to my soul. Thank you for sharing this!
@BlinkinFirefly
This gave me chills! It was sung so beautifully. My chorus in high school sang this (or attempted to sing it rather lol) back in the very early 2000's. I wanted everyone to get it down because it was so lovely sounding when we got it right. It was also a slightly different version which I can't seem to find anywhere. But we never wound up doing it in front of an audience as we ran out of time to learn it completely. SO beautiful though, this group. Well done! 👏
@feeberizer
Sang this in a madrigal group in college some 45+ years ago. Great memories.
@diannecharles2228
It used to be the party piece of our Chapel Choir at the St. Cecilia's Day Dinner. Lovely to hear it again and so beautifully sung!
@andrewbarrow3466
Ah, the beauty of 'early music'. Orlando Gibbons' 'The Silver Swan' near breaks my heart and his Fantasy in C (as played by Glenn Gould on YouTube) is perfection. Crystalline beauty encompassing, for me, a world of grief.
@johnalexander6867
Beautiful music sung magficently. Thank you
@graemejamacphee
Gosh..just looking for this madrigal and came across this....
Energy contrast accents .all things I like ..and a .beautiful blend Thank you !
@nathanriehl6175
Excellent performance!
@smartti1970
astounding voices
@melissaleaomusica
Beautiful! <3