I Byrd-Kyrie (Mass for 4 voices)

William byrd's Mass for 4 voices, it's formed of 6 parts: 1-Kyrie, 2-Gloria, 3-Credo, 4-Sanctus, 5-Benedictus, 6-Agnus Dei.
The Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips
Soprano:
Tessa bonner
Janet coxwell
Salley Dunkley
Deborah Roberts
Alto:
Caroline trevor
Patrick craig
Michael lees
Stephen taylor
Tenor;
Andrew carwood
Julian podger
Nicolas todd
Christopher Watson
Bass;
Donald creig
Francis steele

Category:

Music

Tags:

• william
• byrd
• renaissance
• sacred
• music
• kyrie
• tallis
• scholars
• peter
• phillips
• choral
• choir
• mass
• for
• four
• voices
• quatre
• voix

[AndrosRex]

These are not movements. They are the parts of a Mass. Back then, as far as I can tell, they did not write these pieces for a bunch of people in a concert hall to hear, but to go in the appropriate parts of a Mass. It hacks me off when people go nuts for this music, but remain clueless as to why these guys wrote it, and why it was so good. This is a Mass. You can probably find one near you, even if they only mutter " Lord have mercy " &c. together. These are not movements.

[MusicPortray]

@AndrosRex Thank you so much Sir for the information, i'll correct it right away

[billyguns2]

The farther back I go in music history the more glorious the music seems; this is no exception.

[Cassone37010]

Amo questa Messa di Byrd. Adoro i Tallis Scholars

[MrMixWhelan]

@AndrosRex At the time this was written in England it was illegal to be a catholic. It was written to be sung in secret masses in people basements. To practice mass was an offense that was punishable by imprisonment. That's why the arrangement is so small, it was only intended for 4 singers

[UKoutoftheEUSSR]

@AndrosRex That's true, but I think their term "voices" meant what we understand as parts today. So instead of it just being meant for four voices, I think it was meant for four parts, with as many people as you like singing each part!

[mmenchu]

@mmenchu Palestrina gets a bit close too!

[mmenchu]

@RemovdSande11 So true. Same here.

[Sekhmetouserapis]

@AndrosRex I don't understand why you differenciate those terms. "Movements" are "parts" of a single work, aren't they ?

[RemovdSande11]

I love Byrd. Brings me an expectional feeling only rivaled by J.S. Bach.

[steambrewer]

to the question of a quartet singing this..... if you look into the secretive (yet fervent) expectation of it's celebration (at Mass) under H8 and the Anglican Church-zis, this would have been part of a hidden service, LUCKY to have 4 strong voices, and written simply, yet plaintively, to contribute where it COULD. (yes, you can do it. I play it with 4 brass instruments).

[AndrosRex]

@Doctorwho798 I think four strong singers can do it. Works four X voices are usually sung by more than X singers so that it sounds better.

[AndrosRex]

@MusicPortray Thank you kindly. Sorry my note was so bombastic. Very gracious of you.

[Doctorwho798]

Beautiful. Can this Mass (or at least this Kyrie) be sung by just four people, or would we need more?