Byrd:Motets

by Choir of King's College Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury

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.