William Byrd “ After Sha kespeare, Byrd is without doubt the most imposing figure of the English Renaissance” Paul Henry Lang
Born: 1543 Birthplace: Lincoln Lincolnshire, England Died: July 4, 1623 Location of death: Stondon Massey, Essex, England Cause of death: Unknown Remains: Buried, Stondon Massey, Essex, Englan d Background
He was a pupil and business partner of Thomas Tallis Learned Netherlands imitative counterpoint by Alfonso Ferrabosco He was appointed organist of and choirmaster at Lincoln Cathedral. He served here from On February 22, 1569 he was sworn in as a member and organist of the Chapel Royal, inLondon In 1575 he and Tallis obtained a license for twenty-one years from Queen Elizabeth I to print music and music-paper, a monopoly Later years he devoted himself to make music for the Catholic church Career
Works and Style
Works and Style continued Latin church music: 3 Masses and many motets Comprised two famous collections of motets entitled Cantiones and Graduali The Graduali consisted of 100 motets or motet sections, which together provide complete Mass Propers for the principal feast of the entire church year English church music: Includes both Great and Short services as well as anthems Miscellaneous vocal music: Both Sacred and Secular. Major type being his songs for one and two voices accompanied by a consort of viols. Keyboard music: Virginal works: Variations, Pavans, and Galliards Organ music: Preludes, hymns, and antiphons Been credited with the invention of the verse anthem for the new Anglican Service Collections: The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book and My Lady Nevells Booke
Manuscript from My Lady Nevells Booke
Interesting Facts Remained a loyal Catholic while performing his duties at the royal chapel. This was a sign of respect given to him by the Queen and court Byrd’s earlier motets where intended for private devotional gatherings He designed the two books of the Gradualia for liturgical use for Catholic recusants who worshiped in secret Byrd only wrote three Masses, which are considered to be the finest Masses written by an English Composer
Byrd - Ave verum corpus
The Tallis Scholars - William Byrd - Vigilate
William Byrd 'The Great Service : Venite'
William Byrd 'Sing Joyfully'
music Shakespeare heard: The Carmans Whistle by William Byrd