William Byrd - The Bells

This remarkable piece is one of several pieces written by William Byrd imitating the world around him in the late 16thC. Compare this with my performance in 2009
Tho a Catholic, Byrd remained in post as Master of the Chapel Royal under Elizabeth, who seems to have protected him. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Byrd
The only surviving copy of this music is in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book (aka Q Elizabeth's Virginal Book) which was probably compiled by a fellow Catholic Francis Tregian, during a 20 year imprisonment for his faith from 1583/4-1602.
A virginals is a small-scale harpsichord for domestic use - it was named in honour 'the virgin queen' [Elizabeth 1] who was a good player.
The Bells is the earliest evidence of the English practice of 'change-ringing', whose origins are lost in time and which was not used on the continent.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• william
• byrd
• harpsichord
• virginal
• maxwell
• steer
• catholic
• bells
• change-ringing

[spamkkkiller]

Beautiful!!! This piece is NOT easy to perform convincingly - but one can almost hear the bells of London ringing out on a Sunday morning while listening to your accomplished and very moving rendition of this delightfully cheerful composition. Thank you.

[maxwellsteer]

As a matter of interest, it's thought that they were probably the bells of Lincoln!

[violoner]

What temperament and tuning frequency are you using?

[maxwellsteer]

Modified meantone at A=415

[irkibby]

I am a change ringer and this music sounds fantasically like changes, though not completely like them... little echoes of ringing

[maxwellsteer]

This piece is regarded as the earliest evidence of the evolution of English change ringing being an established procedure by the late 16thC

[Monrealese]

It's a harpsichord or virginal, piano's did not exist in the early 17th century when the piece was written. You can play it on piano but it would't sound right.

[Charliecomet82]

The Last Detail brought me here!

[chantalmauro]

Amazing.

[clarisaxgml]

does anyone know where I can get a detailed analysis of this piece?

[DrNworb]

Enjoyed this very much! I am only familiar with Byrd's choral works and this was a pleasant surprise.Great playing!

[LeithMusic]

@irkibby yes and how were the intervals within the diatonic scale organized with regard to pure intervals 5ths, 3rds, minor 3rds and all of the other fine details which can equate to colours and emotions ?

[irkibby]

@LeithMusic Diatonic, mostly in a major key.

[irkibby]

@spamkkkiller

Lincoln, not London

[LeithMusic]

@violoner And also what tuning where the bells in during the 1500s ?