William Byrd Suite - BH6100182 | Musica

1. The Earle of Oxford's March
2. Pavana
3. Jhon come kiss me now
4. The Mayden's Song
5. Wolsey's Wilde
6. The Bells

William Byrd (1542 - 1623), a pupil of Thomas Tallis, was known for his polyphonic choral and keyboard music, both sacred and secular. His works were preserved in the “Fitzwilliam Virginal Book,” which is a significant reference work on Elizabethan keyboard music. The 300th anniversary of Byrd’s death was celebrated in 1923 with appropriate performances of his music. Gordon Jacob selected six of Byrd’s pieces for inclusion in his commerative Suite. The opening movement, The Earle of Oxford’s Marche, was Byrd’s initial movement to The Battell, a 16th Century program work of 15 movements depicting the participants and events of a battle. The music flows to a steady, stately beat adding dignity to the event. Characteristic of this and all of the movements is the harmonic chord conclusion. The Pavana has the slow duple rhythm of the stately court dance. Jhon Come Kisse Me Now has a flirtatious vitality often found in the English madrigals. It possesses seven variations of an eight-bar tune. Beginning simply in the brass, The Mayden’s Song develops in content with conterpoint and embellished figures while retaining the style of the original. Instrumental texture provides variation to the simple melody of Wolsey’s Wilde. A simple rising two-note figure provides the background for the final movement, The Bells. Variations of a simple rhythmic figure of the bells, all keyed in B-flat, unfold as the music develops interest and momentum.