William Byrd and Early Music

One of my favorite evening musical activities is to listen to what is known as, "early music", especially performed live. For those who don't know, early music is defined as Western music written before the 1650's or Baroque musical period (1650-1750). Early music was predominantly church music written for large choirs (my favorite) but also included secular songs like The Greedy Hawk by William Byrd in his collection called Songs of Sundry Natures (1589).

With that introduction, Stanford University has included in their Music Department a small choir for singing early music. The choir performs about four times a year and last night was their last performance for the year 2011. Naturally, after a seven month long withdrawal, I was very eager to attend the last early music performance of the year and I was not disappointed. The choir sang selections from an English composer named, William Byrd (1540-1623) which were absolutely gorgeous. Some of my favorites were Byrd's Latin church music from his collection Cantiones Sacrae (1575). Below is an example of what that kind of music sounds like...





It always amazes me how these early composers were able to create such beautiful and solemn music. Remember that this is a cappella singing; nothing but the human voice. I also always enjoy the fact that much of the church music from this period has Scripture as its text or is a prayer to God put to music.

In closing, here are the words to one of the Christmas songs Byrd composed that was performed by the Stanford choir last night...

This day Christ was born
This day the Savior did appear,
This day the Angels sing in earth.
The Archangels are glad.
This day the just rejoice, saying:
Glory be to God on high, alleluia!

May God be praised continually, now and forevermore.