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?
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Music Played
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The Trashmen
Surfin' Bird
- BeatRocket.
- BR-107.
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William Byrd
Mass for 4 voices: Kyrie
Performer: PETER PHILLIPS. Performer: Tallis Scholars.- Gimell.
- CDGIM208.
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William Byrd
Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei
Performer: Stile Antico.- DECCA.
- 4853951.
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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.
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Robert Fayrfax
Missa O quam glorifica for 5 voices: Gloria
Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: Cardinall's Musick.- ASV.
- CD GAU-142.
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William Byrd
Mass for 3 voices: Gloria
Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.- ASV.
- CDGAU206.
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William Byrd
Mass for 5 voices: Sanctus
Performer: Stile Antico.- HYEPRION.
- CDA665517.
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William Byrd
Fantasia
Performer: Davitt Moroney.- HYEPRION.
- CDA665517.
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William Byrd
Fantasia no. 2 in A minor for consort a 4
Performer: Fretwork.- CORO.
- COR16193.
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William Byrd
The Great service for 5-10 voices: Magnificat
Conductor: James O’Donnell. Performer: Choir of Westminister Abbey.- Hyperion.
- CDA67770.
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William Byrd
Mass for 5 voices: Benedictus
Conductor: James O’Donnell. Performer: Choir of Westminister Abbey.- Hyperion.
- CDA67770.
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William Byrd
Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei
Performer: Stile Antico.- DECCA.
- 4853951.
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Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Missa Papae Marcelli for 6-7 voices: Agnus Dei
Conductor: Harry Christophers. Performer: The Sixteen.- CORO.
- COR16014.
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William Byrd
Mass for 3 voices: Gloria
Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: Cardinall's Musick.- ASV.
- CD GAU-206.
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William Byrd
Mass for 4 voices: Kyrie
Performer: Stile Antico.- DECCA.
- 4853951.
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William Byrd
Mass for 5 voices: Credo
Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall’s Musick.- ASV.
- CDGAU206.
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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 202317:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 7 Jul 202316:30BBC Radio 3
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