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William Byrd

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

William Byrd, born around 1540 in London and died in 1623, is counted among the greatest composers of the Renaissance and had great influence in England and beyond. He possibly studied with Thomas Tallis, became organist and master of the choristers at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563, and in 1572 obtained a place in the Chapel Royal, the largest choir in England. In 1575 Byrd and Tallis were jointly granted the monopoly on printing music by the Queen. That same year they published the Cantiones sacrae, with seventeen motets each, a financial failure.

Music and breakthrough

Byrd wrote in virtually every form of his day: sacred and secular polyphonic music, music for keyboard from the so-called virginalist school, and music for ensembles of strings and recorders or lute. He wrote Anglican church music, but became a Roman Catholic in the 1570s and afterwards also composed Catholic music, including Masses for three, four and five voices. His Cantiones sacrae of 1589 and the Three Masses are among his best-known works. His pavans and galliards and his consort songs show a secular side.

Influence

Catholicism brought him into difficulties: he appeared on lists of recusants who refused to attend Anglican services, received heavy fines and was suspected of contacts with conspirators. Around 1594 he moved to Stondon Massey in Essex, near his patron Sir John Petre, at whose home Masses were held in secret. Byrd made music for that small, hidden form of worship, and in doing so left behind a story of faith, risk and craftsmanship.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to one of William Byrd's three Masses and notice the voices following one another in long lines. Can you hear how the music sounds both tight and intimate, as if it had been written for a small room?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists