Choir Of King Byrd: Motets CD

One of the most celebrated English composers of the Renaissance, William Byrd wrote Latin sacred music throughout his professional career, despite the fact that such pieces were banned from being used in church. The motets on this recording are presented in the order in which they appear in the pre-Reformation church year, beginning with Advent. The remarkable range of form, texture and color in Byrd's music allows Stephen Cleobury to showcase the voices of the choir, as well as the legendary acoustics of the chapel, in all their glory. Most of the motets are presented here performed by the whole choir, with a small selection - including the rousing Vigilate and Byrd's masterpiece Ne irascaris, Domine - performed by the Choral Scholars of the choir.

1. Rorate Coeli 2. Vigilate 3. Hodie Beata Virgo Maria 4. Alleluia. Senex Puerum Portabat 5. Ne Irascaris Domine 6. Civitas Sancti Tui 7. Terra Tremuit 8. Haec Dies 9. Tollite Portas 10. Alleluia. Ascendit Deus. Dominus in Sina 11. Factus Est Repente 12. Non Vos Relinquam Orphanos 13. O Lux Beata Trinitas 14. Laudibus in Sanctis 15. Ave Verum Corpus 16. Sacerdotes Domini 17. Iustorum Animae 18. O Quam Gloriosum 19. Ave Maria