William Byrd 's second book of Gradualia (1607), dedicated to Lord Petre of Writtle, culminates in a specially fine set of six-part motets to texts mostly about St Peter.
The expansive music not only honours the Saint and his namesake - there is Biblical precedent for punning on Peter - but, since dedicatee and composer were both recusants, it also boldly expresses their joint zeal for the faith they believed to be ' the only hope of salvation.'
BBC NORTHERN SINGERS conductor STEPHEN WILKINSON sing seven of the motets, and KEITH JARVIS plays organ music by Byrd