Byrd: Motets

A vibrant selection of motets by one of England's most renowned Renaissance composers, William Byrd.

A vibrant selection of motets by one of England's most renowned Renaissance composers, William Byrd. The motets on this recording are presented in the order in which they appear in the pre-Reformation church year, beginning with Advent. The remarkable range of form, texture and colour in his music allows Stephen Cleobury to showcase the voices of the Choir, as well as the legendary acoustics of the Chapel, in all their glory.

Most of the motets are presented here performed by the whole Choir, with a small selection – including the rousing Vigilate and Byrd’s masterpiece Ne irascaris, Domine – performed by the Choral Scholars of the Choir. Accompanying the recording is a specially-commissioned essay on ‘Byrd the Catholic’.