BBC Radio 3: Composer of the Week. Series on Byrd announced

 

The BBC has published today details of a series of programmes to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd. The webpage includes a playlist of the music in each episode.

Our local historian Andrew Smith was interviewed this week at Stondon Massey Church and will appear (all being well!) in the first episode which is entitled, appropriately for Byrd, 'A Man of Many Parts'.

Composer of the Week

William Byrd (c1540 – 1623)

Episode 1 of 5

A Man of Many Parts

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, William Byrd (1543-1623), A Man of Many Parts accessed 8 June 2023

Will be broadcast at 12.00pm, Monday 3 July 2023

Donald Macleod shines a light on the intricate tangle of relationships, duties and ideas that surrounded Byrd.

This week (week commencing 3 July 2023), Donald Macleod marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, the greatest British musician of his age. Donald is joined all week by Byrd expert Kerry McCarthy to explore Byrd’s story and reveal a composer of determined ambition and powerful convictions. Those who encountered him, found Byrd could be a difficult adversary as well as a loyal friend. Donald also visits Essex to discover what remains of Byrd’s legacy in the places where he felt most at home, and to see how the composer navigated a hazardous path between his Catholic faith and his duty to the crown at a time of great religious intolerance.

Today (Monday 3 July 2023), we’re introduced to some of Byrd’s varied roles and identities, as a public servant and a private individual. Plus, Donald investigates how this sometimes isolated composer connected with the community in which he lived.

O Lux Beata Trinitas
Alamire, directed by David Skinner

The Bells
Sophie Yates, virginals

Praise the Lord all Ye Gentiles
The Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter

Have Mercy on me O God
Fantasia No 2
Red Byrd
Rose Consort of Viols

Laudibus in Sanctis
Oxford Camerata, directed by Jeremy Summerly

John come kiss me now
Aapo Häkkinen, harpsichord

O You that hear this voice
In fields abroad
Grace Davidson, soprano
Fretwork, directed by David Skinner

Galliard a6
Fretwork

Other episodes during the week are

Episode 2 of 5: Tuesday 4 July 2023

Lincoln

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, William Byrd (1543-1623), Lincoln 

Episode 3 of 5: Wednesday 5 July 2023

The Chapel Royal

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, William Byrd (1543-1623), The Chapel Royal 

Episode 4 of 5: Thursday 6 July 2023

Recusant

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, William Byrd (1543-1623), Recusant 

Episode 5 of 5: Friday 7 July 2023

Stondon Massey

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, William Byrd (1543-1623), Stondon Massey