Episode 3

Available for 186 days

David Suchet stars as the English Renaissance composer William Byrd, 'The Father of English Music'. In five imagined encounters, Byrd looks back at key influences in his life and work, as he composes his major liturgical work, the Gradualia, a collection of 109 pieces written for each of the feasts and events in the Church calendar. Episode 3 Ascension Day, 1605. Byrd recalls his friend and mentor Thomas Tallis, from whom he learnt both about music and about political survival. Under Queen Elizabeth, they were granted the exclusive and lucrative licence to publish music in England and to sell staved paper. Written by D.J. Britton William Byrd ..... David Suchet Thomas Tallis ..... Philip Jackson Music performed by Odyssean Ensemble and recorded at the Chapel Royal, Tower of London Music Director, Colm Carey Sound, Nigel Lewis and Catherine Robinson Directed by Alison Hindell BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 3 The title is from a quote by William Byrd: 'The exercise of singing is delightful to nature, and good to preserve the health of man.'