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.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Three Voices: Sanctus - Benedictus · Christ Church Cathedral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Three Voices with the Propers for the Nativity
℗ 1991 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1991-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 12 Feb 2016
3 RELIGIOSA Sanctus Benedictus Byrd, Mass for 4 Voices
published: 31 Jan 2014
Mass for Five Voices: Sanctus. Benedictus
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Five Voices: Sanctus. Benedictus · Christ Church Catherdral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Five Voices with the Propers for All Saints Day
℗ 1990 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 11 Feb 2016
Sanctus & Benedictus - Byrd, Mass for 4 Voices
From William Byrd's Mass for four Voices, the Sanctus & Benedictus. Sung by the choir of Christ Church, Oxford.
Kyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yT0kLA6DHA
Gloria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfFLVnU3aek
Agnus Dei: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlgQoVshf4
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Three Voices: Sanctus - Benedictus · Christ Church Cathedral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Three Voices: Sanctus - Benedictus · Christ Church Cathedral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Three Voices with the Propers for the Nativity
℗ 1991 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1991-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Three Voices: Sanctus - Benedictus · Christ Church Cathedral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Three Voices with the Propers for the Nativity
℗ 1991 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1991-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Five Voices: Sanctus. Benedictus · Christ Church Catherdral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Five Voices: Sanctus. Benedictus · Christ Church Catherdral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Five Voices with the Propers for All Saints Day
℗ 1990 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Five Voices: Sanctus. Benedictus · Christ Church Catherdral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Five Voices with the Propers for All Saints Day
℗ 1990 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
From William Byrd's Mass for four Voices, the Sanctus & Benedictus. Sung by the choir of Christ Church, Oxford.
Kyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yT0kLA6D...
From William Byrd's Mass for four Voices, the Sanctus & Benedictus. Sung by the choir of Christ Church, Oxford.
Kyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yT0kLA6DHA
Gloria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfFLVnU3aek
Agnus Dei: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlgQoVshf4
From William Byrd's Mass for four Voices, the Sanctus & Benedictus. Sung by the choir of Christ Church, Oxford.
Kyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yT0kLA6DHA
Gloria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfFLVnU3aek
Agnus Dei: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlgQoVshf4
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Three Voices: Sanctus - Benedictus · Christ Church Cathedral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Three Voices with the Propers for the Nativity
℗ 1991 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1991-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Mass for Five Voices: Sanctus. Benedictus · Christ Church Catherdral Choir · William Byrd · Stephen Darlington
Byrd: Mass for Five Voices with the Propers for All Saints Day
℗ 1990 Wyastone Estate Limited
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
From William Byrd's Mass for four Voices, the Sanctus & Benedictus. Sung by the choir of Christ Church, Oxford.
Kyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yT0kLA6DHA
Gloria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfFLVnU3aek
Agnus Dei: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlgQoVshf4
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.