Byrd Song. A list of recommended recordings

Most of William Byrd’s work has been recorded is available to listen to in the comfort of our own homes. This includes:

·               a complete edition of Latin choral music encompassing the published ‘Gradualia’ (1605-07), ‘Cantiones Sacre’ (1575, 1589, 1591) and unpublished Mass Ordinary (1592-95) by The Cardinall’s Musick directed by Andrew Carwood (concluded 2010),

·               the complete keyboard music performed by Davitt Moroney (1999),

·               the first complete recording of ‘Psalmes, Sonets & songs of sadness and pietie’ (1588) by Alamire (choir) and Fretwork (consort of viols) directed by David Skinner (2021),

·               the first complete recording of ‘Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets’ (1611) by The Sixteen and Fretwork directed by Harry Christophers (2022),

·               ‘The Great Service’ recorded by The Cardinall’s Musick directed by Andrew Carwood (2012),

·               ‘Consort and Keyboard Music, Songs and Anthems’ by Rose Consort of Viols with Red Byrd is an old recording but enjoyable programme for anyone listening to Byrd for the first time (1994).

·               Three other recommendations: ‘Tom and Will’, The King’s Singers and Fretwork (2023), commemorates the 400^th anniversary of the death of William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes; ‘1605. Treason and Dischord. William Byrd and the Gunpowder Plot’, The King’s Singers and Concordia (2005), and ‘Singing in Secret. Clandestine Music by William Byrd’, The Marian Consort directed by Rory McCleery (2020). The latter two discs include differing complete performances of the ‘Mass for Four Voices’ in the programme.

 

All these compact discs have excellent liner notes.