Byrd: Consort and Keyboard Music; Songs and Anthems

William [Composer] Byrd (Composer), Red Byrd (Performer), Rose Consort of Viols (Performer), Timothy Roberts (Performer), Tessa Bonner (Performer), Ian Honeyman (Performer), John Potter (Performer), Caroline Trevor (Performer), Penny Vickers (Performer), Henry Wickham (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Red Byrd, Rose Consort of Viols, Timothy Roberts, Tessa Bonner, Ian Honeyman, et al.
• Composer: William [Composer] Byrd
• Audio CD (October 4, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B0000013UP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,180 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of all recordings of William Byrd, July 14, 2005

By 

Sator (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byrd: Consort and Keyboard Music; Songs and Anthems (Audio CD)

William Byrd is regarded by many as the greatest composer England has ever produced, as a kind of musical Shakespeare. He was certainly one of the greatest of the composers of the Seconda Prattica from around the period of the Reformation and Counter Reformation.

The collection of consort music here is simply superb. Pieces like 'John Kiss Me Now' remind us of the fact that variation form began in England around this time. All of the performances are as good as any I have yet to hear of Byrd's music and Naxos clearly scored something of a coup when managing to sign up this group for a recording like this. This would be equally highly recommendable for three times the price. Just look at the list of performers and you will even find Tesser Bonner of the Tallis Scholars listed here. Needless to say she sings beautifully too.

Perhaps my very favourite aspect of this recording is the fact that period pronounciation is used. While some may feel this to be pedantic, the rather quaint and rustic sounding Tudor English pronouciation in my mind only enhances the characterfulness of the pieces. I must say it puzzles me why even the likes of Emma Kirky insists on using modern English pronouciation when singing Byrd.

This is a hugely enjoyable CD and for the price it is a genuine steal that enhances the image of Naxos as a company dedicated to quality music making, that puts the giant multinational recording cooporations to utter shame. For that Naxos deserve our accolade and support.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, November 22, 2006

By 

L. Stanley "gymell" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Byrd: Consort and Keyboard Music; Songs and Anthems (Audio CD)

This CD has a mixture of pieces that would have been performed in a domestic setting, from secular/devotional songs to verse anthems, virginal music and viol consort. Many of the vocal pieces are found in Byrd's "Songs of Sundry Natures." I particularly enjoyed the verse anthems 'Have Mercy Upon Me, O God' and especially 'Christ Rising Again' which is probably the finest recording of that well-known anthem that I've ever heard. Red Byrd captures the domestic nature of these pieces, which is nothing like the typical ethereal cathedral boy soprano/Tallis Scholars type of performance that you would normally hear. They have a very earthy sound and the viol consort plays quite energetically. I also am a big fan of historical pronunciation which they use. And of course I can never get enough of Caroline Trevor's fantastic alto voice. As a result, I've bought every Red Byrd CD I can get my hands on. Do yourself a favor and pick up this bargain CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars Variety is the Spice.., January 25, 2011

By 

Sentinel (Essex) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byrd: Consort and Keyboard Music; Songs and Anthems (Audio CD)

A lustrous and rich variety of Byrd's extensive canon. There are a variety of dance and instrumental pieces by the Rose Consort, with the rich, earthy timbre of the viols, lending an almost sumptuous quality to the melodies, like an ornate tapestry of the time. The playing is engaged and accessible, allowing the music to 'breathe', even in the more lively galliards, although the overall pace of this is stately/measured music. There are also a number of harpsichord pieces, and the added colour is provided by Tessa Bonner, and members of Red Byrd, culminating in a splendidly defiant and rousing account of 'Christ Rising'. Throughout, the musicianship is immediate and wholly committed, and the combination of Rose Consort and Red Byrd is a winning one, as can be evidenced on a number of other Naxos recordings of 'early' music, such as Gibbons Gibbons: Consort and Keyboard Music, Songs and Anthems, and Tomkins Tomkins: Consort Music for Viols and Voices/Keyboard Music. This is an admirably rich and varied collection of pieces, even if Tessa Bonner's 'authentic' phrasing does strike the modern ear rather strangely! Recommended. Penguin Guide ***