William Byrd: The Three Masses

Performer:	Pro Arte Singers	Click Image To See Full Size Pic
CD Title:	William Byrd: The Three Masses
Composer:	William Byrd
CD INFO:	Harmonium Mundi HMU 907223
Reviewer:	Ward Botsford
Notes	Mass for 4 Voices - Mass for 3 Voices - Mass for 5 Voices PAUL HILLIER, director

Listen to A Soundtrack From This CD Excerpt used: Mass for Four Voices - Gloria

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Review:
The purest of all instruments is the human voice. It is the only instrument capable of being in perfect pitch on a consistent basis. It is skilled in all the emotions and its dynamic range is tremendous. The codification of the Gregorian and Ambrosian chant in the sixth century let to much great vocal music but it is fair to say that its culmination was in the sixteenth century with a swarm of composers whose music has enriched us all.

Among these was William Byrd (1542 - 1623). In the first place to be a Catholic in the reign of Elizabeth I was not an easy thing - Good Queen Bess' father has seen to that. Byrd managed to write sacred services for both religions with aplomb if not with ease. This is not even to mention the plethora of keyboard works to his credit.

None of his music ranks higher than his three masses. There is a purity almost a detachment to them that is almost supernatural. They stand at the top of their class: Unmatched and unmatchable.

There are a number of good recordings of the masses but it is hard to imagine one better than the Hillier/Pro Arte disk. If you have no recording of them in your collection this is the one to buy. Especially since the sound is excellent.