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Byrd joins the Queen’s personal choir and tries his luck in publishing. With Donald Macleod.

This week, Donald Macleod explores the life of William Byrd, the greatest British musician of his age. Donald is joined all week by Byrd expert Kerry McCarthy to explore Byrd’s story and reveal a composer of determined ambition and powerful convictions. Those who encountered him, found Byrd could be a difficult adversary as well as a loyal friend. Donald also visits Essex to discover what remains of Byrd’s legacy in the places where he felt most at home, and to see how the composer navigated a hazardous path between his catholic faith and his duty to the crown at a time of great religious intolerance.

Today, a tragic accident leaves a vacancy at the Chapel Royal. Byrd steps up to join this elite band of musicians and works hard to make the most of his new connections at the royal court. When Queen Elizabeth awards him a patent to print music, surely fame and riches will follow?

Laetentur coeli
The Dunedin Consort

Clarifica Me, I, II & III
Michael Bailey, organ

Magnificat (The Great Service)
Odyssean Ensemble, directed by Colm Carey
Christian Wilson, organ

Peccantem me quotidie
Attollite portas
The Cardinall’s Musick, directed by Andrew Carwood

Come to me grief forever
All as a sea
As I beheld I saw a herdman wild
Martha McLorinan, mezzo soprano
Alamire
Fretwork, directed by David Skinner