William Byrd

Nationality: English 

 

Born: Lincoln, c.1543

Died: Stonden Massey, Essex, July 4 1623

Type of music: Sacred music, songs, Madrigals, Keyboard works

Main works: 140 keyboard pieces including 'Wolsey's Wilde', 3 Latin Masses, 1 English Mass 'Cantiones sacrae' in 1575, consort pieces for viols

Aside from Thomas Tallis, his pupil William Byrd was the other influential, English composer in the latter half of the 16^th Century. Not much is known about his early life or education, but his first known post was the position of organist at Lincoln cathedral in 1563. By 1568 he was married and went on to have several children.

In 1572 he joined the Chapel Royal and shared organ and composing duties with Tallis. In 1575 Queen Elizabeth I gave Byrd and Tallis joint monopoly over the printing of music and music paper in England. Their first publication was a collection of 34 Motets.

After Tallis died in 1585, Byrd published three collections of Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets between 1588 and 1611. He also composed a collection of English anthems, secular partsongs, Madrigals and pieces of viol consort.

He is particularly renowned for his fantasias for viols and his keyboard music was also greatly enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth and her court. His keyboard music actually appeared in several publications later on, including 'Fitzwilliam Virginal book', 'My lady Nevell's book' and 'parthenia' printed and issued in 1613 jointly with John Bull and Orlando Gibbons.

A lot of Byrd's Latin church music was only rediscovered in the mid 19^th century and his keyboard music only found a resurgence in the mid 20^th century.

"How daintily this Byrd his notes doth vary, As if he were the Nightingale's own brother!" - Preface to Parthenia 


Spotify link for the Classical Cafe playlist: 

https://play.spotify.com/user/1146446707/playlist/722kiKqGuaxYnbQqnjifAr