Mass for Five Voices: William Byrd 1540?-1623
with the plainsong and polyphonic propers for a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday 2 March 1992, 8pm
Pre-concert talk 7.30pm
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Hill Street
Wellington
Directed by Simon Ravens
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 on 22 February 1992 in Wanganui.
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
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"The choir produced a beautifully balanced, floating sound enhanced, as always, by impeccable intonation and wonderfully shaped phrasing and cadences."
Review of Music for Holy Week, Saturday 12 April 2014
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