William Byrd: Difference between revisions

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{{Recent_additions}}
*{{NoCo|Prevent us, O Lord}}
'''Aliases:''' If his surviving signatures are a representative sample, the composer's preferred spelling of his own name was "Byrde", although on his own publications it also appears as Bird and Byrd. His contemporaries knew him indiscriminately as Byrd(e), Bird(e) and even Burd(e).<br>
'''Aliases:''' If his surviving signatures are a representative sample, the composer's preferred spelling of his own name was "Byrde", although on his own publications it also appears as Bird and Byrd. His contemporaries knew him indiscriminately as Byrd(e), Bird(e) and even Burd(e).<br>
==Life==
==Life==
[[Image:Byrd.jpg|right]]
[[Image:Byrd.jpg|right]]
'''Born:''' c.1540
'''Born:''' 1539 or 1540?


'''Died:''' 4 July 1623
'''Died:''' 4 July 1623


'''Biography:'''<br>
'''Biography:'''<br>
Byrd's will, dated November 1622, declares that he is ‘in the 80th yeare of myne age’, but since a deposition of October 1598 gives his age as ‘58 yeares or ther abouts’ it seems likely the will had been drafted some time before being dated.
William Byrd was one of the most celebrated English composers in the Renaissance. His entire life was marked by contradictions, and as a true Renaissance man he cannot be easily categorised. 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 form 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, printed by Thomas East in 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.  
William Byrd was one of the most celebrated English composers in the Renaissance. His entire life was marked by contradictions, and as a true Renaissance man he cannot be easily categorised. 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 form 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, printed by Thomas East in 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.  


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*{{NoCo|Beati mundo corde}}
*{{NoCo|Beati mundo corde}}
*{{NoCo|Benedicta et venerabilis}}
*{{NoCo|Benedicta et venerabilis}}
*{{NoCo|Benigne fac, Domine}}
*{{NoCo|Cantate Domino}}
*{{NoCo|Cantate Domino}}
*{{NoCo|Christe qui lux es et dies}}
*{{NoCo|Christe qui lux es et dies}}
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{{btm}}
{{btm}}


===[[Image:England.png]] in English===
===[[Image:England.png]] English Anthems===
{{Top}}
{{Top}}
*{{NoCo|Arise Lord into thy rest}}
*{{NoCo|Arise Lord into thy rest}}
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*{{NoCo|Be unto me}}
*{{NoCo|Be unto me}}
*{{NoCo|Behold how good a thing - And as the pleasant morning dew}}
*{{NoCo|Behold how good a thing - And as the pleasant morning dew}}
*{{NoCo|Benedictus in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Blessed is he that fears the Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Blessed is he that fears the Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Bow thine ear, O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Bow thine ear, O Lord}}
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*{{NoCo|From depth of sin}}
*{{NoCo|From depth of sin}}
*{{NoCo|From Virgin's womb - Rejoice rejoice}}
*{{NoCo|From Virgin's womb - Rejoice rejoice}}
*''Great Service, The''
**''Venite
**''Te Deum
**''Benedictus
**{{NoCo|Kyrie}}
**''Creed
**[[Great Service Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (William Byrd)|Magnificat]]
**[[Great Service Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (William Byrd)|Nunc Dimittis]]
{{mdl|4}}
*{{NoCo|Have mercy upon me}}
*{{NoCo|Have mercy upon me}}
*{{NoCo|Help, Lord, for wasted are those men}}
*{{NoCo|Help, Lord, for wasted are those men}}
*{{NoCo|How long shall mine enemies}} ''All editions withdrawn''
*{{NoCo|How long shall mine enemies}} ''All editions withdrawn''
*{{NoCo|How shall a young man}}
*{{NoCo|How shall a young man}}
{{mdl|4}}
*{{NoCo|How vain the toils}}
*{{NoCo|How vain the toils}}
*{{NoCo|I have been young}}
*{{NoCo|I have been young}}
*{{NoCo|I have longed for thy saving health}}
*{{NoCo|I have longed for thy saving health}}
*{{NoCo|I laid me down}}
*{{NoCo|I laid me down}}
*{{NoCo|Kyrie in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Look down O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Look down O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Lord, have mercy upon us}}
*{{NoCo|Lord hear my prayer instantly}}
*{{NoCo|Lord hear my prayer instantly}}
*{{NoCo|Lord in thy rage}}
*{{NoCo|Lord in thy rage}}
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*{{NoCo|Lord, make me to know thy ways}}
*{{NoCo|Lord, make me to know thy ways}}
*{{NoCo|Lulla, lullaby, my sweet little baby}}
*{{NoCo|Lulla, lullaby, my sweet little baby}}
*{{NoCo|Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis}} - Tones and Fauxbourdons
*{{NoCo|Make ye joy to God}}
*{{NoCo|Make ye joy to God}}
*{{NoCo|Mine eyes with fervency}}
*{{NoCo|Mine eyes with fervency}}
{{mdl|4}}
*{{NoCo|My soul oppressed with care}}
*{{NoCo|My soul oppressed with care}}
*{{NoCo|Nicene Creed in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|O God give ear}}
*{{NoCo|O God give ear}}
*{{NoCo|O God that guides the cheerful sun}}
*{{NoCo|O God that guides the cheerful sun}}
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* ''O God, whom our offences''
* ''O God, whom our offences''
*{{NoCo|O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth}}
*{{NoCo|O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth}}
{{mdl|4}}
*{{NoCo|O Lord my God}}
*{{NoCo|O Lord my God}}
*{{NoCo|O Lord, how long wilt thou forget}}
*{{NoCo|O Lord, how long wilt thou forget}}
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**''Second Preces II''
**''Second Preces II''
**{{NoCo|Preces and Responses|(Third) Preces and Responses}}
**{{NoCo|Preces and Responses|(Third) Preces and Responses}}
{{mdl|4}}
*{{NoCo|Prevent us, O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Prevent us, O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Prostrate O Lord I lie}}
*{{NoCo|Prostrate O Lord I lie}}
*{{NoCo|Right blest are they}}
*{{NoCo|Right blest are they}}
*{{NoCo|Second Service}}
*{{NoCo|Short Evening Service}}
*{{NoCo|Sing joyfully}}
*{{NoCo|Sing joyfully}}
*{{NoCo|Sing we merrily unto God}}
*{{NoCo|Sing we merrily unto God}}
*{{NoCo|Sing ye to our Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Sing ye to our Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Teach me, O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Teach me, O Lord}}
*{{NoCo|Te Deum in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Third Service}} ''All editions withdrawn''
*{{NoCo|This day Christ was born}}
*{{NoCo|This day Christ was born}}
*{{NoCo|Turn our captivity}}
*{{NoCo|Turn our captivity}}
*{{NoCo|Unto the hills mine eyes I lift}}
*{{NoCo|Unto the hills mine eyes I lift}}
*{{NoCo|When Israel came out of Egypt}}
*{{NoCo|When Israel came out of Egypt}}
{{mdl|4}}
===Services===
*{{NoCo|Second Service}}
*{{NoCo|Short Evening Service}}
*{{NoCo|Te Deum in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Benedictus in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Nicene Creed in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Kyrie in D minor}}
*{{NoCo|Third Service}} ''All editions withdrawn''
*{{NoCo|Lord, have mercy upon us}}
*{{NoCo|The Great Service}}
**''Venite
**''Te Deum
**''Benedictus
**{{NoCo|Kyrie}}
**''Creed
**[[Great Service Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (William Byrd)|Magnificat]]
**[[Great Service Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (William Byrd)|Nunc Dimittis]]
*{{NoCo|Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis}} - Tones and Fauxbourdons
{{btm}}
{{btm}}


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{{CheckMissing}}
{{CheckMissing}}
{{Whatlinkshere}}
{{Whatlinkshere}}
==Publications (vocal music only)==
==Publications (vocal music only)==
*{{NoCo|Cantiones, quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur|comp=William Byrd/Thomas Tallis}} (1575), jointly with [[Thomas Tallis]]
*''[[Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur]]'' (1575), jointly with [[Thomas Tallis]]
*{{NoComp|Psalmes, Sonnets and Songs|4={{sp}}''of sadnes and pietie''}} (1588)
*{{NoComp|Psalmes, Sonnets and Songs|4={{sp}}''of sadnes and pietie''}} (1588)
*{{NoCo|Cantiones Sacrae I}} (1589)
*{{NoCo|Cantiones Sacrae I}} (1589)
*{{NoCo|Songs of sundrie natures}} (1589)
*{{NoCo|Songs of sundrie natures}} (1589)
*{{NoCo|Cantiones Sacrae II}} (1591)
*{{NoCo|Cantiones Sacrae II}} (1591)
*{{NoCo|Masses for 3, 4 & 5 voices}} (1592-95)
*{{NoCo|Masses for 3-5 voices}} (1592-95)
*{{NoCo|Gradualia I}} (1605)
*{{NoCo|Gradualia I}} (1605)
*{{NoCo|Gradualia II}} (1607)
*{{NoCo|Gradualia II}} (1607)
*{{NoComp|Psalmes, Songs, and Sonnets|4=...}} (1611)
*{{NoComp|Psalmes, Songs, and Sonnets|4=}} (1611)


Contributions to:
Contributions to:
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There is no single official Byrd website, but a variety of useful resources can be found scattered widely across the Web. Many of these sites still repeat the (almost certainly) incorrect birthdate of 1543.
There is no single official Byrd website, but a variety of useful resources can be found scattered widely across the Web. Many of these sites still repeat the (almost certainly) incorrect birthdate of 1543.


*{{IMSLP}}
*[http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/byrd.html Classical.net article] - Brief biography and long out-of-date discography.
*[http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/byrd.html Classical.net article] - Brief biography and long out-of-date discography.
*[http://www.stainer.co.uk/byrd.html Stainer & Bell's Byrd Home Page] - Complete list of works, plus links to the Byrd Edition.
*[http://www.stainer.co.uk/byrd.html Stainer & Bell's Byrd Home Page] - Complete list of works, plus links to the Byrd Edition.

Revision as of 08:55, 5 March 2020

Aliases: If his surviving signatures are a representative sample, the composer's preferred spelling of his own name was "Byrde", although on his own publications it also appears as Bird and Byrd. His contemporaries knew him indiscriminately as Byrd(e), Bird(e) and even Burd(e).

Life

Byrd.jpg

Born: 1539 or 1540?

Died: 4 July 1623

Biography:
Byrd's will, dated November 1622, declares that he is ‘in the 80th yeare of myne age’, but since a deposition of October 1598 gives his age as ‘58 yeares or ther abouts’ it seems likely the will had been drafted some time before being dated.

William Byrd was one of the most celebrated English composers in the Renaissance. His entire life was marked by contradictions, and as a true Renaissance man he cannot be easily categorised. 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 form 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, printed by Thomas East in 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.

The entry in Cathedral Music, Volume 2 (William Boyce) reads:

William Bird, was admitted a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1569. He, in conjunction with Thomas Tallis, published in 1575 a collection of their own compositions in Latin, entitled, Sacred Songs: and in the Years 1589, 1591, and 1605, he printed three other collections of his own Productions in the same Language, all of which had the same Title with the first conjoint Publication.

His works were, in his own time, in great Repute, both at Home and Abroad, and are still held in general Estimation: His Canon of Non nobis Domine, will, in particular, remain a perpetual Monument to his Memory.--- He died in 1623.

View the Wikipedia article on William Byrd.


List of choral works

Latin.png Sacred music

in Latin (A-D)

Latin.png in Latin (E-O)

Latin.png in Latin (P-Z)

England.png English Anthems

Services

Secular music

Other works not listed above (See Template:CheckMissing for possible reasons and solutions)


Click here to search for this composer on CPDL

Publications (vocal music only)

Contributions to:

External links

There is no single official Byrd website, but a variety of useful resources can be found scattered widely across the Web. Many of these sites still repeat the (almost certainly) incorrect birthdate of 1543.