Customer Reviews

Byrd: The Complete Keyboard Music

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This is really wonderful music. I'm not that much a fan of Elizabethan music, and I bought the set on the strength of a couple of glowing reviews and my appreciation of other Moroney recordings. However, the whole package here (performance, instruments, booklet, and the music itself) combine to make this an amazing aesthetic experience. You may not think you need this. You do.

This wonderful set contains all Byrd's keyboard work, from organ to harpsichord. The playing style of Moroney is greatly correct and neatly fresh. His interpretation of these almost neglected music is wonderful. The touch and the tone of his performance, as well as the ornament, is natural and elegant. This is a must for those who love old keyboard music. The record is excellent too.

If you're even _looking_ at this set of music, then chances are that you are already enamoured of either it (under the guise of a different performer) or similar early keyboard music. So . . . um . . . what are you waiting for?!? If such a thing as "definitive" Byrd exists on recording --- _this_ is definitive! The instruments (two organs, two harpsichords, a muselar virginal, and a clavichord) are breathtaking --- especially the muselar in "The Battell!" (Yes, the poor thing's a little clackety, but --- holy cow!! You'll hear what I mean.) And Moroney's technique does complete and utter justice to the music. I remember futzing my way through _The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book_ and _My Ladye Nevell's Book_ like a clod; Moroney, in contrast, makes the notes spring off of the pages and into life, with generous (but not overbearing) ornamentation and sprightly tempi (never too fast, never too slow, but always "just right" - I can't say such a thing very often). I don't know if Byrd sounded like he does here, but I can't imagine this music sounding any better. I'm done raving now. ;-)

I've been a fan of William Byrd's choral music (and have performed a few pieces, such as the Mass for Five Voices), but this is the first time I've really gotten deep into his keyboard music. I was not disappointed.

Some period keyboard recordings sound relentless--I have to admit that I cannot endure more than about 45 minutes of harpsichord music at a sitting, because it just lacks too much color and variation. Moroney has dealt with that by using a collection of period instruments and varying the mix. But (unlike Glenn Gould) he does not add in the piano. (I think the piano has a superior sound, simply because its dynamic range is wider, but it's wrong for Byrd's period. Moroney has answered that pretty well without cheating.)

If you are a polyphonic, contrapuntal music maniac the way I am, you will really enjoy wallowing in this stuff the way a hog wallows in mud. (OK, maybe I feel a little guilty for pigging out on Byrd music by buying 7 CDs of it. But I only feel a LITTLE guilty.)

This is a great gift for fans of Byrd's music or for keyboard enthusiasts in general. It is very attractively packaged and takes up little shelf space despite holding 7 discs. The set also comes with a book which provides a brief but well done overview of Byrd's work and information on each of the keyboard compositions on the seven discs.

The music itself is also top notch. Mr. Moroney displays considerable skill in performing all of the compositions and the recording quality is excellent. Moroney's performance is accurate and engaged, but does not overstep it's bounds to imparting romantic overtones which would be inappropriate for music from Byrd's time.

Whenever XM radio Classics plays a Byrd keyboard composition it is usually from this great boxed set; so if you don't trust my tastes, then you can trust Martin Goldsmith's at XM Classics, formerly of NPR's Performance Today.

It's often hard to find really good recordings of Byrd's keyboard works, except for the Glen Gould selections. This boxed set solves that problem permanently. It really is worth every penny.

This award winning superb box set has been reissued as Byrd: Complete Keyboard Music at much lower price. Buyer beware!

This is as close to a "definitive" recording of these works as it can be, IMHO. Davitt Moroney, currently a professor of musicology at UC Berkeley, chooses to perform these works alternatively on harpsichords, muselar, (chamber) organ and clavichord. Anyone who is familiar with his recordings knows what to expect: flawless technique, solid structure, proper style and tuning, no overt flashiness. The thought and research Moroney puts into arranging the order of the music and into choice of instruments ensure both the right order of presentation(*) and varieties of sound to the ears. However, the most remarkable aspect of this recording, to me, is the love Moroney bestows upon William Byrd's keyboard music. It is palpable in every measure!

This collection includes a 200-page booklet written by Moroney himself, 104 pages in English (with French translation.) The booklet is informative; in fact, an indispensable part of the enjoyment, itself alone worth half the price. So don't download. Get the box!

I bought this release a couple of years ago at full price and thought it was worth every penny. Now it's reissued Complete Keyboard Music at much lower price with third party sellers selling for less than $40. If there is a better bargain in this new millennium, I am oblivious of it. Furthermore, recorded sound is very good, per usual Hyperion (early music) high standard. So what more can one ask for!

This is a collection any lover of William Byrd's music should not be without.(**)

My highest recommendation!

P.S. This set won the British "Gramophone Award" (2000) & German Music Critics' Prize (2000)

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(*) For example, the Pavan-Galliard pairs are scrutinized in the accompanying booklet.

(**) And if you like this set, or the Elizabethan keyboard music in general, I do have another recommendation The Nightingale & The Sparrow, which contains John Bull's brilliant 'Walsingham'.

You can buy this set of cds from a private seller and get a good deal like I did. Whether you get it from seller or from Amazon, buy this set and get some of the most beautiful music in existence for keyboard. I think William Byrd's keyboard music rivals that of J.S. Bach in its level of quality. Davitt Moroney's playing exhibits his talents.

Note: The set contains 7 cds, not 5 as written in the details.

The Product Description data indicates 5 discs in this set, however, the official review blurb indicates 7 discs. I believe the correct number of discs is 7. Amazon, please correct your product description on this item.

This recording is an example of a job well done. Davit Moroney and William Byrd are famous in their own right so one would expect no less. You sure get it here. Byrd was so highly esteemed in his day that Queen Elizabeth forgave his being a Catholic, the only case in all of Tudor history. He was possibly the finest composer in his era. Between Davit's playing and the superb engineering of this recording, makes it a must have for those interested in this genre.

I've been a fan of William Byrd's choral music (and have performed a few pieces, such as the Mass for Five Voices), but this is the first time I've really gotten deep into his keyboard music. I was not disappointed.

Some period keyboard recordings sound relentless--I have to admit that I cannot endure more than about 45 minutes of harpsichord music at a sitting, because it just lacks too much color and variation. Moroney has dealt with that by using a collection of period instruments and varying the mix. But (unlike Glenn Gould) he does not add in the piano. (I think the piano has a superior sound, simply because its dynamic range is wider, but it's wrong for Byrd's period. Moroney has answered that pretty well without cheating.)

If you are a polyphonic, contrapuntal music maniac the way I am, you will really enjoy wallowing in this stuff the way a hog wallows in mud. (OK, maybe I feel a little guilty for pigging out on Byrd music by buying 7 CDs of it. But I only feel a LITTLE guilty.)