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Secret Music: Byrd's Masses

Tom Service explores the three mass settings of William Byrd, composed during dangerous times for Catholics.

England in the 1590s. Elizabeth I is the reigning monarch and the religion of the country is Protestantism. Celebrating Catholic mass is outlawed. What does William Byrd, one of Elizabeth's most favoured composers, do? He writes three settings of the Catholic Mass in Latin. Why? Who will perform them? And what will happen to him as a result?

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 7 Jul 2023 16:30

Music Played

  • The Trashmen

    Surfin' Bird

    • BeatRocket.
    • BR-107.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Kyrie

    Performer: PETER PHILLIPS. Performer: Tallis Scholars.
    • Gimell.
    • CDGIM208.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.
  • Paul McCreesh, Sailsbury Cathedral Boy Choristers & Gabrieli Consort

    Viderunt omnes fines terre - communion chant for Christmas Day [from Gradual of Eleanor of Brittany c.1270]

    • ARCHIV.
    • 457 658-2.
  • Robert Fayrfax

    Missa O quam glorifica for 5 voices: Gloria

    Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: Cardinall's Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CD GAU-142.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Gloria

    Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Sanctus

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • HYEPRION.
    • CDA665517.
  • William Byrd

    Fantasia

    Performer: Davitt Moroney.
    • HYEPRION.
    • CDA665517.
  • William Byrd

    Fantasia no. 2 in A minor for consort a 4

    Performer: Fretwork.
    • CORO.
    • COR16193.
  • William Byrd

    The Great service for 5-10 voices: Magnificat

    Conductor: James O’Donnell. Performer: Choir of Westminister Abbey.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDA67770.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Benedictus

    Conductor: James O’Donnell. Performer: Choir of Westminister Abbey.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDA67770.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.
  • Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    Missa Papae Marcelli for 6-7 voices: Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Harry Christophers. Performer: The Sixteen.
    • CORO.
    • COR16014.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Gloria

    Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: Cardinall's Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CD GAU-206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Kyrie

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Credo

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Credo

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Credo

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 2 Jul 2023 17:00
  • Fri 7 Jul 2023 16:30

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