William Byrd

Aliases: William Byrde; William Bird; William Birde; William Burde; William Burd – If his surviving signatures are a representative sample, the composer's preferred spelling of his own name was "Byrde", although on his own publications it also appears as Bird and Byrd. His contemporaries knew him indiscriminately as Byrd(e), Bird(e) and even Burd(e).

Life

Born: 1539 or 1540?

Died: 4 July 1623

Biography:
Byrd's will, dated November 1622, declares that he is ‘in the 80th yeare of myne age’, but since a deposition of October 1598 gives his age as ‘58 yeares or ther abouts’ it seems likely the will had been drafted some time before being dated.

William Byrd was one of the most celebrated English composers in the Renaissance. His entire life was marked by contradictions, and as a true Renaissance man he cannot be easily categorised. He lived until well into the seventeenth century without writing music in the new Baroque fashion, but his superbly constructed keyboard works marked the beginning of the Baroque organ and harpsichord style. Byrd's life is interesting because of his Roman Catholic sympathies combined with his work in the court of the Anglican Queen Elizabeth I. He composed much music, if intermittently, for the Roman Catholic liturgy, particularly in his later years; the two volumes of Gradualia form a prime example. Possibly as a result of this he did not receive widespread recognition in his lifetime, but was very well respected among the Roman Catholic gentry. In the anti-Catholic frenzy following the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, the first volume of the Gradualia, printed by Thomas East in 1605, was banned in England under penalty of imprisonment as indeed was all of his Catholic music; however his Anglican music— such as the Short Service, and the Responses— has been sung in English cathedrals uninterrupted for the past four centuries.

The entry in Cathedral Music, Volume 2 (William Boyce) reads:

William Bird, was admitted a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1569. He, in conjunction with Thomas Tallis, published in 1575 a collection of their own compositions in Latin, entitled, Sacred Songs: and in the Years 1589, 1591, and 1605, he printed three other collections of his own Productions in the same Language, all of which had the same Title with the first conjoint Publication.

His works were, in his own time, in great Repute, both at Home and Abroad, and are still held in general Estimation: His Canon of Non nobis Domine, will, in particular, remain a perpetual Monument to his Memory.--- He died in 1623.

View the Wikipedia article on William Byrd.

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List of choral works

• For works at CPDL sorted alphabetically by title, see William Byrd compositions

Sacred music

in Latin (A-D)

Ab ortu solis - Venite comedite 4vv Ad Dominum cum tribularer 8vv Adoramus te Mean & 4 viols Adorna thalamum tuum 3vv Afflicti pro peccatis - Ut eruas nos 6vv Alleluia - Ascendit Deus 5vv Alleluia. Ave Maria - Virga Jesse floruit 5vv Alleluia. Cognoverunt discipuli 4vv Alleluia. Confitemini Domino 3vv Alleluia - Emitte Spiritum tuum 5vv Alleluia. Vespere autem Sabbathi 3vv Alma Redemptoris Mater 4vv Angelus Domini descendit 3vv Apparebit in finem 5vv Ascendit Deus in jubilatione 5vv Aspice Domine quia facta est 6vv Aspice Domine de sede - Respice Domine 5vv

Assumpta est Maria 5vv Attollite portas 6vv Audivi vocem 5vv Ave Maria 5vv Ave maris stella 3vv Ave Regina coelorum 4vv Ave verum corpus 4vv Beata es, Virgo Maria 5vv Beata viscera 5vv Beati mundo corde 5vv Benedicta et venerabilis 5vv Benigne fac, Domine 5vv Cantate Domino 6vv Christe qui lux es et dies a 5 Christe qui lux es et dies a 4 Christus resurgens 4vv

Cibavit eos 4vv Circumdederunt me 5vv Circumspice Hierusalem 6vv Civitas sancti tui 5vv Confirma hoc Deus 5vv Constitues eos principes (Gradual) 6vv Constitues eos Principes (Offertory) 6vv Cunctis diebus 6vv Da mihi auxilium 6vv Decantabat populus 5vv Defecit in dolore - Sed tu Domine 5vv Deo gratias 4vv Descendit de coelis - Et exivit per auream portam 6vv Deus in adjutorium 6vv [-1] Deus venerunt gentes - Posuerunt morticinia - Effuderunt sanguinem - Facti sumus opprobrium 5vv

Dies sanctificatus 4vv Diffusa est gratia - Propter veritatem - Vultum tuum 5vv Diliges Dominum 8vv Domine ante te 6vv Domine Deus omnipotens 5vv Domine exaudi orationem - Et non intres in judicium 5vv Domine non sum dignus 6vv Domine praestolamur - Veni Domine noli tardare 5vv Domine quis habitabit 9vv Domine salva nos 6vv Domine secundum actum meum 6vv Domine secundum multitudinem 5vv Domine tu jurasti 5vv

in Latin (E-O)

Ecce advenit dominator Dominus 4vv Ecce quam bonum 4vv Ecce virgo concipiet 5vv Ego sum panis vivus 4vv Emendemus in melius 5vv Exsurge Domine 5vv Fac cum servo tuo 5vv Factus est repente 5vv Felix es, sacra Virgo Maria 5vv Felix namque es 5vv Gaude Maria 5vv Gaudeamus omnes in Domino (Assumption) 5vv Gaudeamus omnes in Domino (All Saints) 5vv Gloria tibi, Domine 3vv Haec dicit Dominus - Haec dicit Dominus 5vv Haec dies a 3

Haec dies a 6 Haec dies - Alleluia Pascha nostrum 5vv Hodie beata Virgo 4vv Hodie Christus natus est 4vv Hodie Simon Petrus 6vv In exitu Israel by Sheppard, Byrd and Mundy In manus tuas 4vv In resurrectione tua 5vv Infelix ego - Quid igitur faciam? - Ad te igitur 6vv Jesu nostra redemptio 4vv Justorum animae 5vv Kyrie: see Masses, Great Service, Laetania Laetania (Litany "Kyrie…") 4vv Laetentur coeli - Orietur in diebus 5vv Laudate Dominum omnes gentes 6vv Laudate pueri Dominum 6vv Laudibus in sanctis - Magnificum Domini - Hunc arguta 5vv Levemus corda 5vv

Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna 5vv Libera me, Domine, et pone me 5vv Lumen ad revelationem gentium 5vv Mass for Three Voices Mass for Four Voices Mass for Five Voices Memento Domine 5vv Memento homo 6vv Memento salutis auctor 3vv Miserere mei, Deus 5vv Miserere mihi Domine 6vv Ne irascaris Domine - Civitas sancti tui 5vv Ne perdas cum impiis 5vv Nobis datus 4vv Non nobis Domine 3vv (Anonymous) - spurious, not by Byrd Non vos relinquam orphanos 5vv

Nunc dimittis (Gradualia) 5vv Nunc scio vere 6vv O admirabile commertium 4vv O Domine adjuva me 5vv O gloriosa Domina 3vv O lux beata Trinitas 6vv O magnum mysterium - Beata Virgo 5vv O quam gloriosum est regnum - Benedictio et claritas 5vv O quam suavis 4vv O Rex gloriae 5vv O sacrum convivium 4vv O salutaris hostia (Gradualia) 4vv O salutaris hostia a 6 (Unpublished) Oculi omnium 4vv Optimam partem elegit 5vv

in Latin (P-Z)

Pange lingua gloriosi 4vv Pascha nostrum 5vv Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Johannem 3vv All editions withdrawn Peccantem me quotidie 5vv Peccavi super numerum 5vv Pietas omnium 3vv Plorans plorabit 5vv Post dies octo - Mane nobiscum 3vv Post partum Virgo 5vv Precamur sancte Domine 5vv Propter veritatem - Alleluia - Assumpta est Maria 5vv Psallite Domino 5vv Puer natus est nobis 4vv Quem terra, pontus, aethera 3vv Quis est homo - Diverte a malo 5vv

Quodcunque ligaveris 6vv Quomodo cantabimus 8vv Quotiescumque manducabitis 4vv Recordare Domine - Quiescat Domine 5vv Reges Tharsis a 4 Reges Tharsis a 5 Regina coeli laetare 3vv Responsum accepit Simeon 5vv Resurrexi 5vv Rorate caeli desuper 5vv Sacerdotes Domini 4vv Sacris solemniis 5vv Salve Regina - Et Jesum benedictum (1591) 5vv Salve Regina (1605) 4vv Salve sancta parens 5vv Salve sola Dei genitrix 4vv Senex puerum portabat a 4

Senex puerum portabat (a 5) Siderum rector 5vv Solve jubente Deo 6vv Speciosus forma 5vv Spiritus Domini 5vv Surge, illuminare, Jerusalem 4vv Suscepimus Deus - Justitia - Magnus Dominus 5vv Suscepimus Deus - Sicut audivimus 5vv Terra tremuit 5vv Timete Dominum 5vv Tollite portas 5vv Tribue Domine - Te deprecor - Gloria Patri 6vv Tribulatio proxima est - Contumelias et terrores 5vv Tribulationes civitatum - Timor et hebetudo - Nos enim pro peccatis 5vv Tristitia et anxietas - Sed tu Domine 5vv

Tu es pastor ovium 6vv Tu es Petrus 6vv Tui sunt coeli 4vv Unam petii a Domino 5vv Veni Sancte Spiritus, Reple tuorum corda fidelium (Antiphon) 5vv Veni Sancte Spiritus, et emitte coelitus 5vv Venite exultemus Domino 6vv Victimae paschali laudes 5vv Vide Domine afflictionem - Sed veni Domine 5vv Viderunt omnes (Communion) 4vv Viderunt omnes (Gradual) 4vv Vidimus stellam 4vv Vigilate 5vv Virgo Dei genitrix 5vv Viri Galilaei 5vv Visita quaesumus 4vv Vultum tuum 5vv

English Anthems

Alack when I look back Alto verse, SAATB Arise Lord into thy rest Arise, O Lord Attend mine humble prayer Be unto me Behold how good a thing - And as the pleasant morning dew Behold O God the sad and heavy case AA verse, SAATB Blessed is he that fears the Lord Bow thine ear, O Lord Christ rising again - Christ is risen again SS verse, SATTB Come help O God Come let us rejoice unto our Lord An earthly tree a heavenly fruit - Cast off all doubtful care Even from the depth Exalt thyself O God SSAATB From depth of sin From Virgin's womb - Rejoice rejoice Have mercy upon me Hear my prayer O Lord Sop. verse, SAATB Help, Lord, for wasted are those men Help us, O God of our salvation (2nd part of Arise O Lord) How long shall mine enemies SAATB All editions withdrawn How shall a young man

How vain the toils I have been young I have longed for thy saving health I laid me down Look down O Lord Lord hear my prayer instantly Lord in thy rage Lord in thy wrath correct me not Lord in thy wrath reprove me not Lord, make me to know thy ways Lulla, lullaby, my sweet little baby Make ye joy to God Mine eyes with fervency My soul oppressed with care O God give ear O God that guides the cheerful sun O God, the proud are risen SSAATB O God which art most merciful O God, whom our offences SAATB O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth

O Lord my God O Lord, how long wilt thou forget O Lord rebuke me not Sop. verse, SATTB O Lord, turn thy wrath away O Lord, who in thy sacred tent Out of the deep SSAATB Praise our Lord all ye Gentiles Preces and Responses First Preces All editions withdrawn Second Preces I All editions withdrawn Second Preces II (Third) Preces and Responses Prevent us, O Lord SAATB Prostrate O Lord I lie Right blest are they Save me, O God Ps. 54 SSATB Sing joyfully SSAATB Sing we merrily unto God Sing ye to our Lord Teach me, O Lord This day Christ was born Thou God that guid'st Sop. verse SAATB Turn our captivity Unto the hills mine eyes I lift When Israel came out of Egypt

Services

Second Service Short Evening Service Te Deum in D minor Benedictus in D minor Nicene Creed in D minor Kyrie in D minor Third Service All editions withdrawn Lord, have mercy upon us

The Great Service Venite Te Deum Benedictus Kyrie Creed Magnificat Nunc Dimittis Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis - Tones and Fauxbourdons

Secular music

Ah silly Soul Alto & 5 viols All as a sea 5vv Although the heathen poets 5vv Ambitious love 5vv And think ye Nymphs to scorn at love - Love is a fit of pleasure 5/6vv As I beheld I saw a herdman wild Awake mine eyes Care for thy soul Come jolly Swains Come to me grief for ever Come woeful Orpheus Compel the hawk to sit Constant Penelope Crowned with flowers The Eagle's force The fair young virgin - But not so soon Farewell false Love A feigned friend From Citheron the warlike boy is fled - There careless thoughts are freed - If Love be just The greedy Hawk I joy not in no earthly bliss

I thought that Love had been a boy If in thine heart If that a sinner's sighs If women could be fair In crystal towers In fields abroad In Winter cold - Whereat an ant Is Love a boy? - Boy pity me Let not the sluggish sleep The match that's made My mind to me a kingdom is The nightingale O dear life O mistress mine O sweet deceit O that most rare breast O you that hear this voice Of flattering speech Of gold all burnished - Her breath is more sweet Penelope that longed for the sight Retire my soul See those sweet eyes - Love would discharge Sellenger's Round

Susanna fair (1588) 5vv Susanna fair (1589) 3vv This sweet and merry month of May (a 4) This sweet and merry month of May (a 6) Though Amarillis dance in green Upon a Summer's day - Then for a boat La Virginella Wedded to will is witless Weeping full sore What is life, or worldly pleasure? What pleasure have great princes When first by force When I was otherwise When younglings first - But when by proof Where fancy fond While that the Sun Who likes to love Who looks may leap Who made thee, Hob, forsake the Plough Why do I use my paper, ink and pen? Wounded I am - Yet of us twain Ye sacred muses

Other works not listed above (See Template:CheckMissing for possible reasons and solutions)

• Omni tempore benedic
• Short Service
• Venite (Short Service)

Click here to search for this composer on CPDL

Publications (vocal music only)

• Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur (1575), jointly with Thomas Tallis
• Psalmes, Sonnets and Songs of sadnes and pietie (1588)
• Cantiones Sacrae I (1589)
• Songs of sundrie natures (1589)
• Cantiones Sacrae II (1591)
• Masses for 3-5 voices (1592-95)
• Gradualia I (1605)
• Gradualia II (1607)
• Psalmes, Songs, and Sonnets… (1611)

Contributions to:

• Musica Transalpina (1588)
• The first sett, of Italian madrigalls Englished (1590)
• The teares or lamentacions of a sorrowfull soule (1614)

External links

There is no single official Byrd website, but a variety of useful resources can be found scattered widely across the Web. Many of these sites still repeat the (almost certainly) incorrect birthdate of 1543.

• Works by William Byrd in the Petrucci Music Library (IMSLP)
• Classical.net article - Brief biography and long out-of-date discography.
• Stainer & Bell's Byrd Home Page - Complete list of works, plus links to the Byrd Edition.
• John Sankey's keyboard page - Includes midi files of the complete keyboard works.
• Midiworld - Basically a duplicate of John Sankey's site, plus some midi files of non-keyboard works.
• Byrd on HOASM - Includes useful links and some facsimiles of printed editions.