William Byrd (/bɜːrd/; birth date variously given as c.1539/40 or 1543 – 4 July 1623, by the Julian calendar, 14 July 1623, by the Gregorian calendar) was an English composer of the Renaissance. He wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard (the so-called Virginalist school), and consort music. He produced sacred music for use in Anglican services, although he himself became a Roman Catholic in later life and wrote Catholic sacred music as well.
Birth and origins
Thanks largely to the research of John Harley, knowledge of Byrd's biography has expanded in recent years. According to Harley, Thomas Byrd, the grandson of Richard Byrd of Ingatestone, Essex, probably moved to London in the 15th century. Thereafter succeeding generations of the family are described as gentlemen. William Byrd was born in London, the son of another Thomas Byrd about whom nothing further is known, and his wife, Margery. The specific year of Byrd's birth is uncertain. In his will, dated 15 November 1622, he describes himself as "in the 80th year of my age", suggesting a birthdate of 1542 or 1543. However a document dated 2 October 1598 written in his own hand states that he is "58 yeares or ther abouts", indicating an earlier birthdate of 1539 or 1540. Byrd had two brothers, Symond and John, who became London merchants, and four sisters, Alice, Barbara, Mary, and Martha.
Thomas Tallis (1505-1585): Felix Namque I (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book)
Thomas Tallis is considered to be one of England’s greatest composers. He is known above all for his religious choral music. Tallis was the teacher of William Byrd. They were good friends, and even went into the music printing business together, having obtained a royal license for that activity from Queen Elisabeth I herself.
The present work, composed in 1562, is an extended keyboard composition based on an old religious chant: “Felix namque es Sacra Virgo Maria” (“For Thou art happy O Holy Virgin Mary”.) Tallis displays amazing ingenuity in coming up with all kinds of diverse configurations of notes to underscore the chant.
The sheer length of this extended, austere piece (over ten minutes long!) has a somewhat hypnotic effect, in my view. Perhaps that’s what “pulls in” the listener, for...
Thomas Tallis is considered to be one of England’s greatest composers. He is known above all for his religious choral music. Tallis was the teacher of William B...
Thomas Tallis is considered to be one of England’s greatest composers. He is known above all for his religious choral music. Tallis was the teacher of William Byrd. They were good friends, and even went into the music printing business together, having obtained a royal license for that activity from Queen Elisabeth I herself.
The present work, composed in 1562, is an extended keyboard composition based on an old religious chant: “Felix namque es Sacra Virgo Maria” (“For Thou art happy O Holy Virgin Mary”.) Tallis displays amazing ingenuity in coming up with all kinds of diverse configurations of notes to underscore the chant.
The sheer length of this extended, austere piece (over ten minutes long!) has a somewhat hypnotic effect, in my view. Perhaps that’s what “pulls in” the listener, for it certainly doesn’t rely on “charm” to do so!
Huh?! Still haven’t seen my books on music? Here they are...
1) How to Memorize Music – A Practical Approach for Non-Geniuses https://amzn.to/2ElbmKp
2) How to overcome Stage Fright − The ultimate Guide for performing Musicians https://amzn.to/2ScII1J
3) Play it with Feeling! - Expressing Emotion in Musical Performance https://amzn.to/2Sf61bc
All available at Amazon.com
Please join my channel!
P.S. You might want to join my Facebook Group: "The Digital Harpsichordist": https://www.facebook.com/groups/338047326812441/
Thomas Tallis is considered to be one of England’s greatest composers. He is known above all for his religious choral music. Tallis was the teacher of William Byrd. They were good friends, and even went into the music printing business together, having obtained a royal license for that activity from Queen Elisabeth I herself.
The present work, composed in 1562, is an extended keyboard composition based on an old religious chant: “Felix namque es Sacra Virgo Maria” (“For Thou art happy O Holy Virgin Mary”.) Tallis displays amazing ingenuity in coming up with all kinds of diverse configurations of notes to underscore the chant.
The sheer length of this extended, austere piece (over ten minutes long!) has a somewhat hypnotic effect, in my view. Perhaps that’s what “pulls in” the listener, for it certainly doesn’t rely on “charm” to do so!
Huh?! Still haven’t seen my books on music? Here they are...
1) How to Memorize Music – A Practical Approach for Non-Geniuses https://amzn.to/2ElbmKp
2) How to overcome Stage Fright − The ultimate Guide for performing Musicians https://amzn.to/2ScII1J
3) Play it with Feeling! - Expressing Emotion in Musical Performance https://amzn.to/2Sf61bc
All available at Amazon.com
Please join my channel!
P.S. You might want to join my Facebook Group: "The Digital Harpsichordist": https://www.facebook.com/groups/338047326812441/
Thomas Tallis is considered to be one of England’s greatest composers. He is known above all for his religious choral music. Tallis was the teacher of William Byrd. They were good friends, and even went into the music printing business together, having obtained a royal license for that activity from Queen Elisabeth I herself.
The present work, composed in 1562, is an extended keyboard composition based on an old religious chant: “Felix namque es Sacra Virgo Maria” (“For Thou art happy O Holy Virgin Mary”.) Tallis displays amazing ingenuity in coming up with all kinds of diverse configurations of notes to underscore the chant.
The sheer length of this extended, austere piece (over ten minutes long!) has a somewhat hypnotic effect, in my view. Perhaps that’s what “pulls in” the listener, for it certainly doesn’t rely on “charm” to do so!
Huh?! Still haven’t seen my books on music? Here they are...
1) How to Memorize Music – A Practical Approach for Non-Geniuses https://amzn.to/2ElbmKp
2) How to overcome Stage Fright − The ultimate Guide for performing Musicians https://amzn.to/2ScII1J
3) Play it with Feeling! - Expressing Emotion in Musical Performance https://amzn.to/2Sf61bc
All available at Amazon.com
Please join my channel!
P.S. You might want to join my Facebook Group: "The Digital Harpsichordist": https://www.facebook.com/groups/338047326812441/
William Byrd (/bɜːrd/; birth date variously given as c.1539/40 or 1543 – 4 July 1623, by the Julian calendar, 14 July 1623, by the Gregorian calendar) was an English composer of the Renaissance. He wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard (the so-called Virginalist school), and consort music. He produced sacred music for use in Anglican services, although he himself became a Roman Catholic in later life and wrote Catholic sacred music as well.
Birth and origins
Thanks largely to the research of John Harley, knowledge of Byrd's biography has expanded in recent years. According to Harley, Thomas Byrd, the grandson of Richard Byrd of Ingatestone, Essex, probably moved to London in the 15th century. Thereafter succeeding generations of the family are described as gentlemen. William Byrd was born in London, the son of another Thomas Byrd about whom nothing further is known, and his wife, Margery. The specific year of Byrd's birth is uncertain. In his will, dated 15 November 1622, he describes himself as "in the 80th year of my age", suggesting a birthdate of 1542 or 1543. However a document dated 2 October 1598 written in his own hand states that he is "58 yeares or ther abouts", indicating an earlier birthdate of 1539 or 1540. Byrd had two brothers, Symond and John, who became London merchants, and four sisters, Alice, Barbara, Mary, and Martha.