VOCES8: O Salutaris Hostia by William Byrd

[@FriendofBill-2005]

Everything Voces8 does is done to a very high standard - but this recording is beyond exceptional. It's the usual clarity and perfect pitch we expect from Voces8, but what strikes me here is how intensely the singers listen to each other and know exactly which part(s) need to be emphasized at precisely the right time. Just gorgeous.

[@mathieuguillet4036]

Truly one of the most elite groups of singers ever.

[@BinkyTheElf1]

In the midst of vicious persecution by the Tudor state, Catholics in hiding still had holy communion, and set to such glorious music as this. Thanks to Voces8 for yer another simply excellent rendition.

[@phbrinsden]

But the “Tudor state” under Mary also heavily persecuted the Protestants. It was a great time of change. many of the composers managed to write for whichever side was in power. This same composer, Byrd, wrote “O Lord make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen”. She was Protestant.

[@trcnmk42]

I could be wrong, but I think it may be a bit naïve to think they used complex choral pieces like this in secret house masses. The idea would surely have been to keep things quiet and undetectable.

[@mcjgsk1305]

„Mary heavily persecuted Protestants”? You are joking, right? 300 that’s maximum historians are claiming for her whole reign. But only in Norfolk in one year of 1569 more than 1200 Catholics were executed during the reign of Elisabeth. There’s no comparison at all, only anti-Catholic propaganda fairytales.

[@mwnyc3976]

@@trcnmk42 I see your point, but there's not really anywhere else they could have been done, at least in England, since celebrating a Catholic Mass publicly there was illegal for most of Byrd's adult life. Mind you, the houses where these secret masses were done weren't houses in town where the neighbors could hear; they were the country houses of nobility or other landowners.

[@warden330]

He was actually court musician to Queen Elizabeth, and his music was published by him. There was nothing secret or illegal here. It was the celebration of the Mass according to Roman rites that was illegal.

[@htcbenoni]

Thank you Voces8 for your kindness toward Byrd and your gift to the world.

[@noahsigs]

There are some ELECTRIFYINGLY dissonant moments in this! It's actually pretty unsettling. Wonderfully performed.

[@ozarkeusful]

Unsettling is a good word for it. It felt like the entire song couldn't decide if it wanted to be major or minor. Lol

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Yes, you are right! Dissonant moments is this musics signum. Imagine that Byrd already about 1585 could experiment with this atonalities.

[@carlobenedetti8487]

@@staffanolofsson8201 tonality didn't exist at the time and so Byrd was not experimenting with atonality.The false relations are a "side effect" of counterpoint where the horizontal development of each line takes priority over the vertical harmonic structure.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@carlobenedetti8487 Ok, I admit I have less knowledge of this. Counterpoint existed but not tonality.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@carlobenedetti8487 And still I think tonality existed before counterpoint. If we look at music development in general, through history. But in this Byrd you are right.

[@karentravis2357]

Just imagine William Byrd listening to this beautiful performance of his work. ❤

[@r1p2m32]

He'd faint.

[@mellifergold]

Maybe he does - from the other side - and inspires such perfect performances...⛲

[@EscargotVonKaninchen]

he'd say : what are these devilish outfits ??

[@martinfalls6614]

Not now, he wouldn't. But that was clever.

[@martinfalls6614]

My thought exactly.

[@josecanale7055]

The most perfect choir I've ever heard. Congratulations and thanks from Argentina.

[@r1p2m32]

I completely agree.

[@brummiesalteno-81]

No canso de escucharlos. Música para el alma.

[@perttirasilainen1142]

Eight (8) singers singing together is not a choir. It is a vocal ensemble.

[@chrst7346]

@@perttirasilainen1142 yet, somehow they manage to sound like one…😊

[@perttirasilainen1142]

Like one - what?

Unglaublich modern fuer die Zeit , in der dieses Werk entstanden ist! Und wie immer: perfekt gesungen

[@AndreaScalia81]

Definitiv!

[@maetzchenmusik]

Was so modern anmutet, verdankt sich dem ganz alten Primat des linearen melodischen Denkens in mehreren, selbstständig geführten Stimmen vor der vertikalen, also harmonischen Ausrichtung der Komposition. Auf diese Weise erscheinen im vorliegenden Stück ziemlich unbekümmert Querstände zuhauf, ganz so wie in der ars nova, also bei den ersten Gehversuchen der Polyphonie, sehr hochmittelalterlich. Selbst Bach als spätbarocker Komponist ist nicht frei davon (z.B. WtKl II, Präl. E-dur, Schlusskadenz, T 53 Sopran-cis2 gegen Tenor-c1 am Ende der Zählzeit 1), geht damit aber viel behutsamer um, indem er Querstände nicht auf den betonte(re)n Zählzeiten erklingen lässt. Viel gewagter zeigt Bach sich übrigens etwa im Präludium b-moll des WtKl I, wenn er Takt 2, Zählzeit 3 einen opulenten Vorhalt präsentiert, interpretierbar als ein Ineinander von b-moll- und F-dur-Akkord, wobei, bedingt durch die Stimmführung, c1 und des2 heftig als kleine None aufeinanderprallen (neben drei weiteren Dissonanzen in diesem fünfstimmigen Gesamtklang). Allein die Vorbereitung und Auflösung dieser Stelle nehmen der harmonischen Brisanz des Akkordes zum Teil ihre Schärfe. Aber man spiele ihn einfach mal isoliert repetitiv à la Stockhausens Klavierstück IX-Beginn …

[@davidk2158]

I can't help but keep coming back to this piece.

[@WigbertTraxler]

What a chromatically weird and dissonant piece at some places! Highly interesting. Thanks for delivering that gem for us!!

[@Talisman0011]

Une merveilleuse interprétation qui nous transporte une fois encore dans un "paradis de notes majestueuses....Merci à vous les Voces 8 pour ce grand talent qui vous est délicieusement personnel.....🌹🌹🤍🤍❤❤

[@bernardpoitevin7615]

avis totalement partagé

[@majathomi3021]

Es ist wunderbar...die Art und Weise wie Sie singen, ist in Wirklichkeit "beten"... und nicht eine Aufführung.

[@jerryspringer6096]

William Byrd, the go-to for evensong

[@staffanolofsson8201]

In the harmonies this seems to a astonishingly timeless work. Just listen to the second part, it could have been written in the 20:th century. Just lovely, VOCES8 !

[@richardforshaw8479]

I totally agree with you!

[@danielecolla5767]

what a superb performance; Intonation impeccable, lines crystal clear and amazing balance.

[@dennisdavis3919]

The best gets even better. Kudos to Andrea for her exceptional blend in recent recordings.

[@GabrielFerreira-jq7nj]

It's incredible to notice how some lines actually transition from one singer to another without us even realising! So perfectly blended that the whole sound actually just seems to exist by itself, floating all around, fulfilling the whole space. Truly divine. Thank you once again!

[@MarkusBOCK-x2o]

technically and in their feeling for ancient music definitely top of the world. The best ensemble for early baroque music ever heard

[@AndreaScalia81]

Che meraviglia quelle incredibili dissonanze tipiche di Byrd e Tallis! Sonorità "very english", che a noi sembrano estremamente contemporanee e che invece hanno più di 400 anni. I Voces8, poi, eccellono come sempre nel dar vita a magiche perle musicali. Un plauso a loro e ai bravissimi tecnici del suono. ❤

[@michaelmccarren8083]

Very beautiful and Amen at the end was absolutely sublime!

[@DeliciousPigeonCheez]

This piece is one of my all-time favourites. Byrd was truly a genius. This recording is so rich in the lower registers one could almost imagine a consort of viols playing and the upper parts manage to retain the crystal-clear clarity that act as a perfect compliment to the almost bowed string-like textures of the lower voices. Stunning.

[@cehussey]

I hadn't heard this piece before now. It's mesmerizingly good, and the lines of polyphony sometimes went unexpected places, while still maintaining their integrity. Byrd is a genius. I love how the song unfolds and the sonority of the ensemble. The acoustics of the room fit perfectly for the piece, too--a Goldilocks zone, in terms of reverb. Well done!

[@sarahsingsforchrist]

This almost puts you in a trance! The way voices will rise and fall as one sound is exquisite. I LOVE singing in ensembles and groups.

[@asimong]

What artistry on all fronts! To me, Byrd captures the feeling of "hostile armies" exactly in all the conflicting harmonies. Expanding "the door of heaven" - isn't that just like expanding what we expect from harmony to include the truly false relations? And as someone else pointed out, the whole matter of oppression of Roman Catholicism; the anguish of persecution, means that the "aid" at the end, the resolution, only comes at the very end. Conflicting harmonies right up to a few bars before the end. And then there's the rendition … what can I say, it has been said many times by others … but what I will add is that you need that absolute clarity, that beautiful precision, to convey the dissonance, to be transparently clear that there are no mistakes here, just pure art. Voces8 have that purity, clarity, transparency that allows the art of the music to shine through with such heart-rending beauty.

[@christopherallen487]

Beautifully said!

[@richardforshaw8479]

The harmonic palette is advanced, and unexpected. Incredible to the ears, and impeccably sung.

[@GenevieveCKnight]

Amen 🙏🏼 the hymn that moves our hearts to the transcendent. “You have made us for yourself O Lord, our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee” - St. Augustine

[@bensykes8911]

Just sublime this. Voces 8 can rest assured that Byrd, were he able to hear his music sung like this 400 years after his passing, would be well pleased. They are bringing Byrd to life more than any other ensemble I know of.....

[@hoid8069]

It is said that those who sing well pray twice, but in this performance you have prayed a thousand times.

[@dstollb12ghee]

Really amazing dissonant colors by Byrd on this piece. Beautifully done. Bravo

[@DavidLJackson]

Absolutely beautiful, a wonderful performance 👏👏🎶🎶

[@mitchellclark4377]

Oooh, I could listen to that last chord for a long time.

[@marylog9069]

Maravilloso Grupo Vocal..desde que los conocí me tienen enganchada..La dulzura de sus Voces perfectamente equilibradas y empastadas..la puesta en escena tan ordenada y de tanta elegancia y delicadeza interpretando a los grandes.tanto música antigua como las más actuales..Hacen de este grupo el más perfecto que hasta ahora en música Coral y de Cámara he oído.MIS FELICITACIONES POR TAN EXCELENTISIMO TRABAJO Y TALENTOS.Desde Sevilla(España)

[@agathavandoesburg7297]

Wonderful performance. Thank you Voces 8. One superb recording after another!!❤

[@merri-toddwebster2473]

I don't think I've ever heard this setting. Exquisite performance, as always! I think Byrd must have had a true and deep devotion to the Eucharist, evinced in this work and in his "Ave Verum Corpus".

[@marylog9069]

Celestiales,magníficos y subliminal la elegancia vocal de este grupo.Me apasiona William Byrd.Sevilla,España.Marylo Garcia

[@cathcort1]

Another divine prayer.....

[@richardforshaw8479]

It seems that Byrd had jumped to another century with his contrapuntal clashes. I have never heard such a modern sound before in his compositions. I wonder how his first performance was received with the ears of the audience of the time!!

[@kathleenemerson5248]

How do they so consistently sound so perfect and glorious. And, my good fortune…they are coming to my very small northeaster VT town in March and I am going.

[@jasonmahan6600]

As usual, the balance and intonation are exquisite, making a good piece great. Marvellous!

[@mikhailnohr]

Wow! It sounds like flamand polyphony! Just heavenly...

[@Babbajune]

As always, a beautiful rendition! Thank you! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@eastmorton]

Sublime composition, sublime performance. Thank you VOCES8 for this deeply spiritual experience.

[@catwoman-vr8yb]

Byrd is my favorite composer to sing and to listen to. This group does such a superb performance. What a stunningly gorgeous piece. Thank you VOCES8.

[@Mopsisgone]

VOCES8 you are one of the FINEST sounds on the entire internet and BILLY BYRD is my all time favourite composer of vocal works! This was like HEAVEN coming to EARTH! 🌍xxx

[@francishook8767]

William, please!

[@Mopsisgone]

@@francishook8767 Are you trying to diminish the importance of the affectionate handles I apply to my darling BB?? 😁

[@francishook8767]

@@Mopsisgone I know a few Williams and they all detest being called Bill. Then again, I have another friend Bill who I once called William and he vociferously corrected me 🥴🙃🙃🙃

[@catweazle_1]

that touches me in the depths of my soul - I have goose bumps

[@juvenalsdad4175]

Excellent as always. Thanks for sharing V8, doing God's work for sure.

[@mathieuguillet4036]

Magnifique ! 🙏🏼

[@turbine6202]

Amazing clarity, brings heaven and earth together. Thank you again Voces 8.

[@richardforshaw8479]

So beautifully sung- I just love the false relations! ❤

[@rayostwaldmusic7769]

Bravi!! A huge fan of William Byrd for decades, but I have never heard this piece until now! As already mentioned by many, the dissonances, lines, polyphony, intensity, text... I can't stop listening to this, for a few days now, and I'm nowhere near done or tiring of it! What a fantastic performance. I'm seriously considering driving 10 hours from Chicago to Birmingham, Alabama in a few weeks to hear you live. Thank you!

[@herbertwackerlin6174]

No journey is too long to hear them live, believe me! I had the privilege of hearing them live at least a half dozen times, and it’s like you hear them the first time EVERY TIME 🥰

[@marylog9069]

Son PERECTOS.Tocan todo Repertorio!!!!FELICIDADES desde Sevilla.IMPOLUTA Y PERFECTA TECNICA VOCAL.Sois INSUPERABLES.

[@tonygrimwood3162]

Excellent! Jonathan has arranged this for V8 just beautifully. ❤🙏

[@juliavanrun-kilic1744]

Thank you for the beauty of your singing. Much love from Switzerland 💝

[@ЮлияСлавная-ч3т]

Великолепное исполнение! Всякий раз наслаждение от вашего прекрасного пения, благодарю вас!

[@francismontocchio9910]

Delicious, crunchy dissonances!!!

[@martinfalls6614]

Thank you, Jonathan Pacey. Hope all is well with you. VOCES8 never disappoints, at least not me. This is a tremendous cut & thanks for posting. Can we see you here? English translation reminds me of the people of Ukraine & Gaza. Prayers for an end to their unceasing torment & for all world leaders in a place to help in a way that MEANS SOMETHING. Note the dissonance/cross-relation at about 3:27. Byrd was known for this. Chilling. Perfect. Just reviewed some of the many lovely comments here. O, you music nerds. Would love to get in a room with you... & VOCES8. Jonathan too.

[@davidedwards2842]

'Sumptuous ' performance. Bravo Voces8!

[@corlisscrabtree3647]

Thank you 🙏

[@stevekdaniel]

The piece is a roller coaster of emotions 😂

[@arnebovarne7759]

This has given me the strangest and most wonderful experience in a long time. Did Byrd really write it like that 400-500 years ago? I certainly believe he did, but it's pretty amazing in my opinion. Absolutely fantastically sung by the choir!

[@ledpensyl]

Interesting. I may need to listen to that another 100 times.

[@nacso3781]

Gracias. Espero poder escucharos en vivo algún día ♥️

[@JimBoyd-l8m]

If this is what my trainer means by “crunchies,” I’ll be fit in no time! Beautifully done.

[@dariaschooler]

Do you ever listen to birds when they start their singing before dawn, and each bird joins in as the sky brightens? They all are singing in their own melody and tempo, but manage to complement each other. I try to record as many as I can weather permitting. This reminds me of the morning bird chorus God makes anew each day.

[@danielbenson5858]

Wow! Love those gorgeous dissonances! They really pop.

[@JSB2500]

I loved it so much I almost forgot to Like it.

[@herbertwackerlin6174]

Now I know why Blake told me he absolutely LOVES this piece: it‘s so jazzy 😂 I‘m enjoying singing Tallis‘s „Loquebantur“ at the moment, also with quite a lot of false relations, but this piece by Byrd seems to be the craziest I‘ve ever heard of the time 😵‍💫

[@vsobko]

Дуже дякую! Молодці!

[@valerieselau7384]

Beautiful but unexpectedly phenomenon ❤️

[@WinterMarie-Luise]

Einfach nur wunderschön !

[@michaelshepherd8521]

Wonderful performance as always. So looking forward to hearing them in concert in Portland Oregon in March. Making a special trip from BC.

[@pipertripp]

Loves me some Billy Byrd. That's for sharing this excellent performance!

[@jo4stuco914]

PLEASE record Lauridsens O Nata Lux on KZbin🙏

[@jaquelinfajardo1460]

Can't wait to see you guys again in Dallas ❤❤❤❤

[@lonniethomas2649]

So excited to see you tonight in Worcester MA! Hopefully the acoustic of the hall will provide all those amazing overtones you create! ❤

[@terrykearns]

Wow! See y'all in Athens (Georgia) on February 23rd. KK and I will be in the gallery to your left almost beside you.

[@mcgitarz]

Wow…straight to the soul. Magnificent.

[@fulgenjbatista4640]

❤ You are Unbelievable. Thank you ❤

[@danielyutzy5321]

I'm speechless, this is so exquisite

[@ellen823ful]

Love those dissonant intervals. ❤ Lots of practice to make it sound perfect.

[@jennifermunday6769]

Gives me chills

[@SuperTinman2009]

Wonderful! Come back to Toronto Voces8!!!❤

[@katherineherzberg8694]

Utterly stunning

[@alastairboles4437]

Beautiful music beautifully sung

[@3333ferret]

Truly beautiful sounds

[@ChanceAndTheBois]

Absolutely wonderful, as always!

[@keithwarner207]

Pure sublime brilliance!0!

[@cmdcmd6031]

Great song 😊I loved also your performance at your concert in Germany/Nuremberg last year. I hope that you will come back ? ❤❤❤

[@Rowuk2024]

Another simply dazzling reading!

[@chijiokeenyia202]

This is so incredibly beautiful!❤❤

[@Мурашки-ж9у]

Спасибо вам за ваше чудесное пение Желаю всем мира и гормонии

[@marvinaloysuis5827]

Que Belle! Deo Gratias. Bravo!

[@piconminichini]

So beautiful 😍

[@MarisUgboko]

Goosebumps 😭😭

[@ShelaghBluebell]

Beautiful!

[@malc121]

A beautiful performance thanks ❤❤

[@scotstafford]

Lovely. To any fellow pre-Baroque music nerds, also a treasure trove of musica ficta false relations. 😮

[@Harmonic7th]

The cross relations here are some of the most delicious I’ve heard in a long time. Maybe ever.

[@Sunshine_and_Silver_linings]

Breathtaking ❤

[@defel1]

So well done. So satisfying to hear.

[@claudinebos6266]

Très beau 💕