Composer of the Week: Byrd

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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: William Byrd (1543-1623): The Bird of Loudest Lay

William Byrd (1543-1623)

The Bird of Loudest Lay

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, William Byrd (1543-1623), The Bird of Loudest Lay

Byrd trod a risky path between his personal convictions and the law. With Donald Macleod.

Donald Macleod introduces some of the vast range of Byrd’s music including his secret settings of the Latin Mass, instrumental dances and erotic songs.

Donald Macleod explores some of the vast range of Byrd’s music including secret settings of the Latin Mass, instrumental dances and erotic songs.

Religious intolerance cast a long shadow over the life and music of William Byrd.  As a Roman Catholic in Elizabethan England, he was persecuted by the state and often forced to tread a dangerous path between his personal convictions and his duty to the Queen.
His musical talent and his strength of character enabled him not just to survive, but thrive. Despite his trials he was, and continues to be, celebrated as the greatest British musician of his age.

There is frustratingly little evidence that William Byrd was personally acquainted with his fellow Elizabethan, William Shakespeare.  Although, a tantalising reference to “the bird of loudest lay” in Shakespeare’s sonnet, The Phoenix and the Turtle hints that they may have been more than mere contemporaries.  Byrd did move in celebrated circles, including his long service in the Queen’s Chapel Royal choir.  In this first programme Donald Macleod explores how Byrd’s faith marked him out as an outsider, even as his talent led him to the very heart of the British musical establishment. 

All this week, to accompany Composer of the Week, Radio 3 is also exploring William Byrd’s life through a series of new dramas starring David Suchet. To Preserve the Health of Man is at 10.45 each night.

Fantasia a6 (II)
Phantasm

Mass for Four Voices (Extract)
The Cardinall’s Musick

O dear life, when may it be
Robin Blaze, countertenor
Concordia 

Galiardo Mistris Marye Brownlow
Davitt Moroney (harpsichord)

Infelix ego
Stile Antico

Producer: Chris Taylor

Composer of the Week: William Byrd (1543-1623)

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of William Byrd.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of William Byrd. Despite his trials over his religion, he was and continues to be celebrated as the greatest British musician of his age.

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The Bird of Loudest Lay

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