William Byrd

William Byrd

A sure-born prodigal from the English Renaissance period, William Byrd was one of several prolific composers from the 16th century. He was born in England, and began what was to be an outstanding career in music, from a very early age. Byrd primarily enjoyed composing psalms, sonnets and songs, prodding religious themes and diaspora of the time in to these compositions. The music of the 16th century incorporated proficient elements of humanistic thought, innovation, commercial enterprise and related themes, most of which is self-evident in William Byrd’s work. All of this eventually came together in the polyphonic style, a genre that dominates Byrd’s music.

Although much is speculated about Byrd’s childhood, his first job was factually as an organist in the Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Although this period, often referred to as the Lincoln years, was marred with controversy, it also contributed significantly to some of the techniques Byrd familiarized himself with that he would put to good use in the later years of his professional career. This period also saw the production of some of Byrd’s earlier keyboard works, such as Ground as Gamut and A minor fantasia, while also composing some psalm motets like Ad Dominum cum tribularer and De lamentation. These compositions usually followed a similar trend of appreciating and handpicking thematic topics and arrangements from the Christian practice of Tenebrae, and demonstrating a genuine interpretation of Elizabethan Catholic practices and rituals.

In the latter half of his life, Byrd gained precedence and stature partly as a result of his success as Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and his collaborations with the great Thomas Tallis in a joint publication of hymns and sonets, called Cantiones. These positions provided him with the opportunity to widen his scope for musical composition, mainly refraining to the Protestant rituals and beliefs. However, it becomes evident from his later releases that Byrd had increasingly become affluent and enthused with Catholicism, that is, in the latter part of his life. With the likes of O Lux Beata Trinitas, Miserere Mihi and Tribue Domine, this period laid down the foundations for Byrd’s last few contributions as a composer. This claim finds proof in the compositions of the period between 1575 and 1590, when Byrd’s motets focused more on the sufferings and biblical texts of the Catholic community. A few examples where Catholic themes are evident are Come to Me Grief (1580) and Delight is Dead (1580).

Some of his most famous works include the song books released at the end of the 1500s. These included the 1588 collection that Byrd named Psalms, Sonnets and Songs of Sadness and Pietie, and the 1589 compositions collectively recognized as Songs of Sundrie Natures. The most striking element found within the tunes in these collections was the inclusion of vocal parallels, which Byrd synced in line with the instrumental sections of the songs. However, other themes from earlier children’s plays, consorts and some popular secular genres are also proactively symbolized in the compositions. Perhaps the highlight of his last few years as a professional composer was his final composition, Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets (1611), that mostly included songs and motets from previous works, although two of songs had been configured in to brand new pieces. What set apart this collection was a new form of song texture, where most of the compositions would be arranged in five and six parts.

In the contemporary setting of music, where so many different genres have been developed, the classical works of William Byrd are still held up to the highest recognition. Following a strong doctrinal theme together with various improvisational vocal, chamber and keyboard techniques, Byrd still sets a revolutionary example in modern classical music.