Search - William Byrd, Tom Hart :: Byrd: In Tempore Paschali/Regina Caeli/In Assumptione Beatae Mariae Virginis/Ave Regina Caelorum/Salve Regina

The unique sound of the 12-voice, all-male ensemble Chanticleer lends a special brilliance to these unusually intimate and spare Latin works of William Byrd, taken from the two books of Gradualia published by the composer in the early 1600s. Although publishing and publicly performing Roman Catholic liturgical music was officially forbidden at that time, Byrd's unique stature and special relationship to Elizabeth I enabled him a certain freedom to compose works appropriate to the Roman Catholic service. He remained discreet in this activity and obliged the newly ordained Church of England with music for its services as well. These closely recorded performances retain the music's intended air of intimacy and simplicity, but also reveal some occasional lapses in intonation and balance. --David Vernier