“England has never produced a greater composer than William Byrd. His music for the Anglican Church has been sung without interruption since the 16th century. In stark contrast his Catholic music was not heard for over 300 years. This specially priced selection of previously issued recordings compares the formal public style of Byrd’s Anglican works like The Great Service with the plangent intimacy of his Masses and motets.” (Peter Phillips)

Mass for five voices [22’17]
CD1
1
Kyrie[1’29]
2
Gloria[4’55]
3
Credo[8’41]
4
Sanctus and Benedictus[3’48]
5
Agnus Dei[3’24]

Mass for four voices[22’00]
6
Kyrie[2’03]
7
Gloria[5’30]
8
Credo[7’32]
9
Sanctus and Benedictus[3’40]
10
Agnus Dei[3’15]

Mass for three voices[17’40]
11
Kyrie[0’35]
12
Gloria[4’33]
13
Credo[6’37]
14
Sanctus and Benedictus[2’46]
15
Agnus Dei[3’09]

16
Ave verum corpus[4’17]
17
Infelix ego[12’20]

CD2
18
Vigilate[4’52]
19
Tristitia et anxietas[10’07]
20
Ne irascaris, Domine[8’06]
21
Prevent us, O Lord[2’46]

The Great Service[44’01]
22
Venite O come, let us sing unto the Lord[5’18]
23
Te Deum We praise thee, O God[9’31]
24
Benedictus Blessed be the Lord God of Israel[9’23]
25
Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty[5’27]
26
Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord[9’12]
27
Nunc dimittis Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace[5’10]
28
O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth[2’52]
29
O God, the proud are risen against me[3’00]
30
Sing joyfully[2’50]