Wikipedia (1540-1623) [English. Renaissance.]
If you're just gonna listen to one: Ecco Virgo Concipet
Background
Like lots of people from more than five centuries ago, there's not a ton of historical information about William Byrd. What we do know is that he studied with Thomas Tallis, another of England's best-known Renaissance composers. We also know that he was a proud lifelong Catholic during one of the most violent period's of England's religious history, and this certainly cost him money and career advancement. Many of his most expressive compositions were written for the Latin rite, even though it was difficult for him to be a Catholic at that time. His numerous masses and motets and other sacred pieces form the main body of his work that exists today...
Mass for 4 Voices
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei
Other Sacred Music
Ave Verum Corpus
Tristitia et Anxietas
Ave Maria
Byrd also wrote some music for keyboard/harpsichord and "consort music," which is the precursor to what we think of as chamber music.
Consort Music
Fantasia #2 in G minor (Viol)
Diliges Dominum
And here's a link to an NPR story showcasing Stile Antico, performing four Renaissance works, two of which were by Byrd.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Gustav Holst
Wikipedia (1874-1934) [Brittish. Romantic.]
If you're just gonna listen to one: Jupiter
Background
Gustav Holst was a composer whose acclaim did not come during his lifetime. While he was alive, his works were not performed much, except by the musicians at the girls' school in London, where he worked most of his professional life.
Some compositions that he created for those students are performed now (example: St Paul's Suite); but Holst is mostly known for one work: The Planets.
The Planets
Multiple movements of this work will be familiar to people (especially Jupiter), as it has become part of the standard orchestral repertoire.
Other Orchestral Music
Edgon Heath
Brook Green Suite
If you're just gonna listen to one: Jupiter
Background
Gustav Holst was a composer whose acclaim did not come during his lifetime. While he was alive, his works were not performed much, except by the musicians at the girls' school in London, where he worked most of his professional life.
Some compositions that he created for those students are performed now (example: St Paul's Suite); but Holst is mostly known for one work: The Planets.
The Planets
Multiple movements of this work will be familiar to people (especially Jupiter), as it has become part of the standard orchestral repertoire.
- Mercury (the Winged Messenger)
- Venus (the Bringer of Peace)
- Mars (the Bringer of War)
- Jupiter (the Bringer of Jollity)
- Saturn (The Bringer of Old Age)
- Neptune (The Mystic)
- Uranus (The Magician)
Other Orchestral Music
Edgon Heath
Brook Green Suite
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