Chelys Consort of Viols with Helen Charlston: The Honour of William Byrd

The Honour of William Byrd explores many sides of the man and his music, encompassing the honouring of his contemporaries, the honouring of his Catholic faith under a Protestant regime, honouring the Protestant Queen Elizabeth despite his Catholicism, and honouring his country.

If musical output gives us an indication of the person within, then who is this man who is both devoutly Catholic yet clearly a favourite of the Protestant Queen who made his faith illegal, a serious character capable of weighty contemplation but also sharp wit and humour, and the loyal friend who wrote so personally and touchingly of the loss of his teacher and friend Thomas Tallis? This programme explores the proud Englishman, devoted friend, loyal subject, and faithful servant who was William Byrd.

---

PROGRAMME

In Honour of Music and Poetry Thou Poets Friend
In Honour of Lady Montague In Nomine a4 No 1, With Lilies White
In Honour of England Fantasia a4 No 1, This Sweet And Merry Month of May, Sellenger’s Round (arr. F.H. Mountney and Walter Bergmann), Fair Britain Isle
In Honour of Dancing Pavan and Galliard a5
In Honour of a Catholic Martyr Why Doe I Use My Paper Inck and Pen
In Honour of The Voyage of Life All As A Sea
In Honour of Sir Philip Sydney Fantasia a5: Two Parts In One In The 4th Above, Come to Mee Griefe For Ever                                 
In Honour of the Lord Blessed Is He That Fears The Lord, In Nomine a5 No 2Ah, Silly Soul
In Honour of Friendship Ye Sacred Muses
In Honour of Elizabeth I Wretched Albinus, Rejoice Unto The Lord, Fantasia a5: Browning “The Leaves Be Greene”,  O Lord, Make Thy Servant Elizabeth