William Byrd's vast output of Latin polyphony provided religious solace to his fellow Catholics in Protestant England and furnished their services with fine music at key moments in the church’s year. In this concert, marking the 400th anniversary of Byrd’s death, Contrapunctus explores the astonishing breadth of Byrd’s sacred output, including works for the great feasts of All Saints and Easter. Byrd's publication of this output for all seasons is even more remarkable given that he wrote much of it knowing that its performance in religious services was illegal.

Programme

All Saints
All Saints Propers
Beati mundo corde

Advent
Advent Propers
Rorate caeli

Christmas
Lullaby

Candlemas
Nunc dimittis (Gradualia)

Lent
Emendemus in melius

Easter
Easter Propers
Resurrexi
Terra tremuit
Pascha nostrum

INTERVAL

Ascension
Laudibus in sanctis
Alleluia. Ascendit Deus

Pentecost
Pentecost Propers
Confirma hoc Deus

Corpus Christi
Ave verum corpus

Marian antiphon from Trinity to Advent
Salve regina

On the death of Sir Philip Sydney, 17 October 1586
Come to me grief for ever

All Saints
All Saints Propers
Justorum animae