The Honour of William Byrd / Charlston, Chelys Consort of Viols
Details
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Artist
- Chelys Consort Of Viols, Helen Charlston
- Format
- SACD
- Label
- BIS
- Released
- Jul 07, 2023
- Catalog #
- BIS-2663
- UPC
- 7318599926636
About
This disc provides an opportunity to explore the music of the proud Englishman, the devoted friend, the loyal subject, and the faithful servant that was William Byrd, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. Through a collection of songs and instrumental works performed by the Chelys Consorts of Viols joined by tenor violist Harry Buckoke and mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, this recording introduces this key figure of the English Renaissance music: both devoutly Catholic and a favourite of the Protestant Queen, a serious character capable of weighty contemplation but also sharp wit and humour, and the loyal friend who wrote so personally and touchingly. Beginning with Thou poet’s friend, a celebration of the union of poetry and music, the ensemble’s carefully chosen works are in turn gay, sad, religious and secular, culminating in one of the best and most moving consort songs ever composed, Ye sacred Muses, a tribute to Thomas Tallis, Byrd’s teacher, colleague and friend. The seven instrumental pieces showcase Byrd’s inventiveness with their unexpected runs, cross-rhythms, daring harmonies, lively dances and the joy of sheer virtuosity.
REVIEW:
The Honour of William Byrd offers a rounded portrait of this complicated composer – sombre and witty, Catholic yet a favorite of Elizabeth I. Songs lamenting the deaths of the courtier Philip Sidney and Byrd’s mentor Thomas Tallis stand out amid a consistently intriguing program. Played by the Chelys Consort and flawlessly sung by the mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, the whole thing is beautifully done.
-- The Guardian (UK)
Tracklist 19 tracks
-
1 Thou Poets' Friend 02:00
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Thou Poets' Friend
- Duration
- 02:00
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
2 In Nomine a 4 No. 1 02:36
- Track
- 2
- Title
- In Nomine a 4 No. 1
- Duration
- 02:36
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
3 Wretched Albinus 02:18
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Wretched Albinus
- Duration
- 02:18
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
4 Fantasia a 6 No. 2 in G Minor 05:03
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Fantasia a 6 No. 2 in G Minor
- Duration
- 05:03
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Harry Buckoke
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
5 With Lilies White 04:44
- Track
- 5
- Title
- With Lilies White
- Duration
- 04:44
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
6 Browning a 5, "The Leaves be Green" 03:53
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Browning a 5, "The Leaves be Green"
- Duration
- 03:53
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
7 This Sweet And Merry Month of May 02:46
- Track
- 7
- Title
- This Sweet And Merry Month of May
- Duration
- 02:46
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
8 O Lord, Make Thy Servant Elizabeth (arr. H. Charlston and Chelys Consort of Viols for voice and viol ensemble) 02:13
- Track
- 8
- Title
- O Lord, Make Thy Servant Elizabeth (arr. H. Charlston and Chelys Consort of Viols for voice and viol ensemble)
- Duration
- 02:13
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
9 All as a Sea 03:15
- Track
- 9
- Title
- All as a Sea
- Duration
- 03:15
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
10 Fantasia a 5 in C Major, "Two Parts in One in the Fourth Above" 05:09
- Track
- 10
- Title
- Fantasia a 5 in C Major, "Two Parts in One in the Fourth Above"
- Duration
- 05:09
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
11 Come to Me, Grief, For Ever 05:40
- Track
- 11
- Title
- Come to Me, Grief, For Ever
- Duration
- 05:40
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
12 Sellinger's Round (arr. F.H. Mountney, W. Bergmann and Chelys Consort of Viols for viol ensemble) 04:36
- Track
- 12
- Title
- Sellinger's Round (arr. F.H. Mountney, W. Bergmann and Chelys Consort of Viols for viol ensemble)
- Duration
- 04:36
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
13 Blessed is He that Fears the Lord 05:28
- Track
- 13
- Title
- Blessed is He that Fears the Lord
- Duration
- 05:28
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
14 Why Do I Use my Paper, Ink and Pen? 07:13
- Track
- 14
- Title
- Why Do I Use my Paper, Ink and Pen?
- Duration
- 07:13
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
15 Fantasia a 6 No. 1 in G Minor 03:20
- Track
- 15
- Title
- Fantasia a 6 No. 1 in G Minor
- Duration
- 03:20
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Harry Buckoke
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
16 Ah Silly Soul 02:43
- Track
- 16
- Title
- Ah Silly Soul
- Duration
- 02:43
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
17 Rejoice unto the Lord 03:14
- Track
- 17
- Title
- Rejoice unto the Lord
- Duration
- 03:14
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
18 Fantasia a 4 No. 1 in D Minor 02:43
- Track
- 18
- Title
- Fantasia a 4 No. 1 in D Minor
- Duration
- 02:43
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols
-
19 Ye Sacred Muses 03:21
- Track
- 19
- Title
- Ye Sacred Muses
- Duration
- 03:21
- Composer
- William Byrd
- Performer
- Helen Charlston
- Ensemble
- Chelys Consort of Viols