William Byrd
The Golden Renaissance
The second release in Stile Antico’s ‘Golden Renaissance’ trilogy on the Decca Classics label commemorates 400 years since the death of the superb English composer William Byrd. Our programme focuses on the music of his final years, written for the clandestine Catholic services of his Essex patron, including his timeless Mass for Four Voices and his exuberant Propers for the Feast of the Assumption. We also perform several of his “sacred songs” in both English and Latin, and his mighty Tribue Domine, a homage to the music of an older generation of composers.
This album is dedicated to the memory of David Trendell, teacher and friend.
Please note that we are experiencing stock issues due to high demand for this new release, so orders may take longer than usual to be fulfilled.
Recorded: May, 2022
Label: Decca Classics
Format: CD
Catalogue Number: 485 3951
Stile Antico splendidly showcase Byrd’s intense imagination, exuberance and general magnificence… our spirits are lifted by Byrd’s powerful art and the singers’ tonal variety, expressive warmth and terrific ensemble panache.
The Times
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Stile Antico splendidly showcase Byrd’s intense imagination, exuberance and general magnificence… tonal variety, expressive warmth and terrific ensemble panache.
Geoff Brown, The Times (11 January, 2023)
As a wide-ranging introduction to one of the greatest of English composers, this starts Byrd’s anniversary year in some style.
Richard Fairmann, Financial Times (13 January, 2023)
Outstanding… sung with Stile Antico’s familiar blend of warmth, clarity and responsiveness to text.
David Weininger, New York Times (26 January, 2023)
One of the great interpreters… The disc explores the music of Byrd’s last years with purity, clarity, and a beautiful balance.
Gaëlle Moury, Le Soir (18 January, 2023)
Stile Antico tackles the sophisticated counterpoint with the flawless technique we have come to expect… with constantly changing colour and intensity which lend the prayers a deeply human urgency.
De Standaard (25 January, 2023)
Retire my soul [has] a fond, Werther’s Original hue that goes on to infuse the whole programme… a deeply moving performance of his Mass for Four Voices… some of the richest singing I have heard from this ensemble.
Ed Breen, Gramophone (March 2023)
“Byrd will never sound better than this… the singers capture perfectly the sheer beauty of Byrd’s musical vision.”
Anthony Pryer, BBC Music Magazine (March 2023)
- Retire, my soul
- Gaudeamus omnes in Domino
- Mass for Four Voices: Kyrie
- Mass for Four Voices: Gloria
- Propter veritatem
- Mass for Four Voices: Credo
- Assumpta est Maria
- Mass for Four Voices: Sanctus & Benedictus
- Optimam partem eligit
- Mass for Four Voices: Agnus Dei
- Turn our captivity, O Lord
- Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles
- Laudate Dominum omnes gentes
- Tribue Domine