Byrd 1588: Psalmes, Sonets & songs of sadnes & and pietie

LATEST RELEASE

BBC Music Magazine Choral & Song Choice

Following Tallis and Byrd’s first publishing venture of Cantiones Sacrae of 1575, Byrd waited some 13 years to again wake the presses with his compositions. His 1588 Psalmes, Sonets, & songs of sadnes and pietie was his first solo publication, for which Elizabeth’s Lord Chancellor (and notable favourite), Sir Christopher Hatton, acted as patron.

This is the first complete offering of the collection and was recorded on the grounds of Holdenby House, once the largest Elizabethan country house in all of England. Written at the height of Byrd’s creativity, it contains a treasure trove of musical delights. More famous among the collection includes two funeral elegies for Sir Philip Sidney (Come to me grief forever and O that most rare breast), Why do I use my ink, paper and pen? which is thought to allude to the martyrdom of the Jesuit Edmund Campion in 1580, as well as lighter secular songs from joyful madrigals to pained laments. Byrd here represents practically all levels of human emotion, with works performed by a variety of ‘voyces or Instruments’ as the composer himself directs.

In the press

In sum, the performances, masterminded by scholar and director, David Skinner, are a delight from start to finish – Kate Bolton-Porciatti (BBC Music Magazine) | Double 5-star review; Choral & Song Choice

It is a pleasure to report that everything about this double album is excellent. The music, the concept, the soloists, the ensembles and the recording quality are all outstanding … there are simply no duff tracks, and there is something for everybody, for every mood … a discographical benchmark. – Richard Turbet (Early Music Review)

The 37 pieces show remarkable diversity, through the predominant flavour, epitomised by ten powerful psalms settings and the extended song Lullaby, my sweet little baby, is meditative. As Byrd allowed, director David Skinner varies the scorings, and, throughout, Alamire’s singing and Fretwork’s playing is unhurriedly lustrous. – Stephen Pettitt (Sunday Times)

Variety is built in; and as one expects from these interpreters, the performances are seldom less than immaculate … as balanced and precise pieces of ensemble singing as I’ve heard in  a while. – Fabrice Fitch (Gramophone)

ALSO … Gramophone Editor, Martin Cullingford, joined David Skinner at Alamire’s recording session at Holdenby, Northamptonshire, in September 2020. Full article, as published in the May 2021 issue is here: Byrd 1588 in Gramophone

These are beautifully well-modulated performances where … the text is at the forefront. Despite the liveliness of such works as Though Amaryllis dance in green, the prevailing mood is sober yet expressive, with a strong vein of melancholy. Yet whilst it can be civilised and often dignified, there are plenty of felicitous details too. This is music as serious entertainment, rather than sheer frivolity. – Robert Hugill (Planet Hugill)