William Byrd, a product of the English Reformation, remained faithful to the Catholic faith throughout his life and was largely immune from persecution due to his high status.
Compositional Technique
The album includes three settings of the 'In nomine' by Thomas Weelkes, a compositional template derived from a section of John Taverner's Mass Gloria tibi trinitas.
Composition History
Two new works by Roderick Williams and James MacMillan were specially commissioned for this album, reimagining elegies for Weelkes and Byrd.
Composer Biography
Thomas Weelkes, a younger contemporary of Byrd, was dismissed from his post at Chichester Cathedral for 'drunkenness and outrageous blaspheming'.
Historical Context
This album commemorates the 400th anniversary of the deaths of William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes, both of whom died in 1623.
Performer Biography
The King's Singers, formed in 1968, have maintained their unique formation of two counter-tenors, a tenor, two baritones, and a bass since their debut.
Performer Biography
Fretwork, a viol consort, has expanded its repertoire to include music from over 500 years and now travels in Europe only by train or electric cars to reduce its carbon footprint.
You might also enjoy...
There Were Three Ravens. Songs, Rounds and Catches by Thomas Ravenscroft
An Elizabethan Christmas: Byrd, Holborne, Gibbons, Peerson, Weelkes
