Main content

Secret Music: Byrd's Masses

Tom Service explores the three mass settings of William Byrd, composed during dangerous times for Catholics.

England in the 1590s. Elizabeth I is the reigning monarch and the religion of the country is Protestantism. Celebrating Catholic mass is outlawed. What does William Byrd, one of Elizabeth's most favoured composers, do? He writes three settings of the Catholic Mass in Latin. Why? Who will perform them? And what will happen to him as a result?

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 7 Jul 2023 16:30

Music Played

  • The Trashmen

    Surfin' Bird

    • BeatRocket.
    • BR-107.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Kyrie

    Performer: PETER PHILLIPS. Performer: Tallis Scholars.
    • Gimell.
    • CDGIM208.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.
  • Paul McCreesh, Sailsbury Cathedral Boy Choristers & Gabrieli Consort

    Viderunt omnes fines terre - communion chant for Christmas Day [from Gradual of Eleanor of Brittany c.1270]

    • ARCHIV.
    • 457 658-2.
  • Robert Fayrfax

    Missa O quam glorifica for 5 voices: Gloria

    Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: Cardinall's Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CD GAU-142.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Gloria

    Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall鈥檚 Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Sanctus

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • HYEPRION.
    • CDA665517.
  • William Byrd

    Fantasia

    Performer: Davitt Moroney.
    • HYEPRION.
    • CDA665517.
  • William Byrd

    Fantasia no. 2 in A minor for consort a 4

    Performer: Fretwork.
    • CORO.
    • COR16193.
  • William Byrd

    The Great service for 5-10 voices: Magnificat

    Conductor: James O鈥橠onnell. Performer: Choir of Westminister Abbey.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDA67770.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Benedictus

    Conductor: James O鈥橠onnell. Performer: Choir of Westminister Abbey.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDA67770.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.
  • Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    Missa Papae Marcelli for 6-7 voices: Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Harry Christophers. Performer: The Sixteen.
    • CORO.
    • COR16014.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Gloria

    Performer: Andrew Carwood. Performer: Cardinall's Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CD GAU-206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Kyrie

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Credo

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall鈥檚 Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Credo

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall鈥檚 Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Credo

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall鈥檚 Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 3 voices: Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall鈥檚 Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices: Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Andrew Carwood. Performer: The Cardinall鈥檚 Musick.
    • ASV.
    • CDGAU206.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices: Agnus Dei

    Performer: Stile Antico.
    • DECCA.
    • 4853951.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 2 Jul 2023 17:00
  • Fri 7 Jul 2023 16:30

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Tom Service poses a very simple question (with a not-so-simple answer).

Six of the world's most extreme voices

From babies to Mongolian throat singers: whose voice is the most extreme of all?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How Schoenberg opened a new cosmos for composers and listeners to explore.

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Bass is everywhere, but why do we enjoy it? Join Tom Service on a journey of discovery.

Watch the animations

Join Tom Service on a musical journey through beginnings, repetition and bass lines.

When does noise become music?

We like to think we can separate 鈥渘oise鈥 from 鈥渕usic鈥, but is it that simple?

Podcast