Sunday Worship
BBC Radio 4
Sunday 9 July
2023
Psalmes, Songs
and Sonnets
BBC
Radio 4 - Sunday Worship, Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets
William Byrd is regarded as one of England's greatest composers. He
lived through turbulent times through the Sixteenth and early-Seventeenth
Centuries, witnessing both significant religious and political change. Despite
this, he composed some of the finest music of his time for both the Catholic
and Anglican Church.
In the week of the 400th anniversary of his death, The Revd Dr Jonathan
Arnold reflects on William Byrd's contribution to Christian music and worship.
Jonathan visits the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Stondon Massey in rural
Essex - where Byrd is thought to be buried - and also the nearby Ingatestone
Hall, the home of the composer's patron, Lord Petre. Jonathan speaks to the
current Lord Petre about the connection between Byrd and his patron through
their Catholic faith.
Harry Christophers, founder and director of The Sixteen, reflects on the
sense of longing and faith in Byrd's music, expressed in the composer's
particular attention to the texts he set from scripture.
Byrd remained a Catholic throughout his life, which for many at the time
was a dangerous thing to do, but his contribution to music for the Anglican
church remains central to music and worship in many churches today.
Byrd's music featured includes Ne irascaris Domine, Tribue Domine, the
Nunc dimittis from the Second Service, and movements from his three Masses.
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