Mass for Five Voices: William Byrd 1540?-1623

with the plainsong and polyphonic propers for a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary


England of the 16th century was not a safe place for Catholics. Byrd himself was publically accused of being a practising Catholic on a number of occasions, when to be so was a treasonable offence punishable by death. Fortunately, connections with those in high places ensured that he and his family escaped relatively lightly. Even so, Byrd's music for the Catholic Service would have been performed in the utmost secrecy, in a private house by only a handful of singers. Typically, these works are emotionally charged and deeply personal, often focusing on the individual's suffering.

This performance was also performed on 21 February 1992 in Palmerston North and repeated on 2 March 1992 in Wellington.

Download poster for this performance (JPEG image, 160 Kb)
Download texts and translations and programme order for this performance (Microsoft Word document, 33 Kb)
Download pre-concert talk for this performance (Microsoft Word document, 33 Kb)

Programme

    Introitus: Salve sancte parens: William Byrd 1540?-1623
    Kyrie: Mass for Five Voices: William Byrd
    Gloria: Mass for Five Voices: William Byrd
    Collect: chant
    Epistle: chant
    Gradual: Benedicta et venerabilis: William Byrd
    Tract: Gaude Maria Virgo: William Byrd
    Gospel: chant
    Credo: Mass for Five Voices: William Byrd
    Offertorio: Felix Namque: William Byrd
    Sursum corda: plainsong
    Sanctus / Osanna I / Benedictus / Osanna II: William Byrd
    Pater Noster: chant
    Agnus Dei: Mass for Five Voices: William Byrd
    Communio: Beata Viscera: William Byrd
    Communio: Ave Verum Corpus: William Byrd
    Post-communio: chant
    Ite, missa est: plainsong

8pm*, Saturday 22 February 1992
All Saints Church
Wanganui East
$12 / $8
* pre-concert talk at 7.30pm

dir. Simon Ravens

Back home