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.
Byrd: Gradualia Book 1 (1605) - Processional. Adorna thalamum a3
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Gradualia Book 1 (1605) - Processional. Adorna thalamum a3 · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood · David Skinner
Byrd: Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
℗ 2002 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 28 Jul 2018
Byrd: Libera me, Domine, et pone me a5 (Cantiones sacrae 1575)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Libera me, Domine, et pone me a5 (Cantiones sacrae 1575) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd: Cantiones Sacrae 1575
℗ 1999 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 1999-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Unknown Writer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 28 Jul 2018
Byrd: Deus venerunt gentes (Cantiones sacrae 1589)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Deus venerunt gentes (Cantiones sacrae 1589) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd:Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for Lady Mass from Christmas to the Purification
℗ 2001 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2001-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Gradualia Book 1 (1605) - Processional. Adorna thalamum a3 · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood · David...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Gradualia Book 1 (1605) - Processional. Adorna thalamum a3 · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood · David Skinner
Byrd: Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
℗ 2002 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Gradualia Book 1 (1605) - Processional. Adorna thalamum a3 · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood · David Skinner
Byrd: Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
℗ 2002 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Libera me, Domine, et pone me a5 (Cantiones sacrae 1575) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd: Ca...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Libera me, Domine, et pone me a5 (Cantiones sacrae 1575) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd: Cantiones Sacrae 1575
℗ 1999 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 1999-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Unknown Writer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Libera me, Domine, et pone me a5 (Cantiones sacrae 1575) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd: Cantiones Sacrae 1575
℗ 1999 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 1999-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Unknown Writer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Deus venerunt gentes (Cantiones sacrae 1589) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd:Cantiones sacra...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Deus venerunt gentes (Cantiones sacrae 1589) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd:Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for Lady Mass from Christmas to the Purification
℗ 2001 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2001-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Deus venerunt gentes (Cantiones sacrae 1589) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd:Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for Lady Mass from Christmas to the Purification
℗ 2001 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2001-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Gradualia Book 1 (1605) - Processional. Adorna thalamum a3 · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood · David Skinner
Byrd: Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
℗ 2002 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Libera me, Domine, et pone me a5 (Cantiones sacrae 1575) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd: Cantiones Sacrae 1575
℗ 1999 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 1999-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Unknown Writer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Byrd: Deus venerunt gentes (Cantiones sacrae 1589) · The Cardinall's Musick · Andrew Carwood
Byrd:Cantiones sacrae 1589; Propers for Lady Mass from Christmas to the Purification
℗ 2001 ASV Ltd.
Released on: 2001-01-01
Producer: David Skinner
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Martin Haskell
Composer: William Byrd
Author: Bible
Auto-generated by YouTube.
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.