Alamire
His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts
Stephen Farr (organ)
David Skinner (director)

Alamire, under the direction of David Skinner, complete their survey of the choral works of William Byrd to mark the composer’s 400th anniversary with this landmark recording of The Great Service and seven anthems.

Emerging from centuries of obscurity, Byrd’s Great Service, first revived in the early twentieth century, represents a pinnacle of English choral music. This recording commemorates the centenary of its modern debut in 1924.

With intricate polyphony and poignant text settings, Byrd’s masterful use of ten voices reveals his unparalleled skill in capturing the essence of the Anglican liturgy. Complemented by seven anthems, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of Byrd’s rich, spiritual, and historical musical contributions.

Album Booklet (PDF)