Early Latin Church Music II
Propers for Christmas Day

The second disc in the series and the second to be devoted to music unpublished during Byrd’s lifetime. This shows the early Byrd with two short three-part Alleluyas as well as a real rarity. A setting of In exitu Israel where three composers (John Sheppard, William Mundy and Byrd) have each contributed a set of verses. Sheppard emerges as the older composer but young Mundy and Byrd each produce exquisite writing.

This disc culminates in the monumental eight-part setting of Ad Dominum cum tribularer and at the centre of the disc are eight motets from the 1607 Gradualia representing Byrd’s contributions to the feast of Christmas.

 Click on the red track in the listing
to hear a sample from the disc

GRAMOPHONE