William Byrd (1543-1623)

This week, Donald Macleod marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, the greatest British musician of his age. Donald is joined all week by Byrd expert Kerry McCarthy to explore Byrd’s story and reveal a composer of determined ambition and powerful convictions. Those who encountered him, found Byrd could be a difficult adversary as well as a loyal friend. Donald also visits Essex to discover what remains of Byrd’s legacy in the places where he felt most at home, and to see how the composer navigated a hazardous path between his catholic faith and his duty to the crown at a time of great religious intolerance.

Music Featured:

O Lux Beata Trinitas The Bells Praise the Lord all Ye Gentiles Have Mercy on me O God Fantasia No 2 Laudibus in Sanctis John come kiss me now O You that hear this voice In fields abroad Galliard a6 Fantasia in A minor (extract) O Lord Make thy Servant Elizabeth Magnificat (Short Evening Service) Te Deum (The Great Service) In Nomine a5 (No 2) Fantasia a6 in F In Nomine a5 (No 3) Domine Quis Habitabit Fantasia in A minor Laetentur coeli Clarifica Me, I, II & III Magnificat (The Great Service) Peccantem me quotidie Attollite portas Come to me grief forever All as a sea As I beheld I saw a herdman wild Gaudeamus omnes Mass for 4 voices: Credo Sellinger’s Round Pavan 'Sir William Petre' Ne irascaris Domine Oh God that guides the cheerful sun Haec dies The Battell (extract) Galiardo ‘Mrs. Mary Brownlow’ Responsum accepit Simeon Nunc dimittis Come Jolly Swains Have Mercy on me, O God Blow up the Trumpet Galiardo ‘The Earle of Salisbury’ Tristitia et anxietas

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for William Byrd (1543-1623) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001n819

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z