William Byrd: Mass for 4 Voices, The King's Singers

[@horationelson57]

It is comforting I am not alone in adoring this wonderful music. There are a few others in the world just like me! Thank you for uploading and sharing. Cheers from Australia

[@ricklemanczyk2966]

ditto cobber...have been for the last 1/2 century!

[@sarijaatinen5569]

Cheers from Finland also!

[@ianclarke1852]

@@sarijaatinen5569 and in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

[@magnifyoparah2402]

Same too. From Nigeria!❤

[@philruane5910]

Theres loads of us xx

[@catwoman-vr8yb]

I have sung this mass many times. Byrd is my favorite composer and this is my favorite piece of his. This is a positively glorious performance of this work composed for the glory of God.

[@EuroDragon71]

I am thinking about my silent generation parents, who gave us the gift of life late in their lives. They also gave us the gift of music early in our lives. They had us sing, play piano, strings and woodwinds in our house to entertain guests during Christmas. Now there’s no music in the house. But this William Byrd compilation is thankfully bringing me back to my beloved childhood with the music we experienced.

[@gillianrobb3223]

This piece is very good...starts off well , the Credo is merveilleux an I only wish I had better sound system in order to hear this consummate musical creative...he is the bee's knees

[@Bobby-58]

You are so right! We live in such a loud world. Addicted to sensations, screams, superficialities. We have all become consumation- junkies. What a misguided bunch of lunatics humanity has become. Listening to music like this has a detox-effect on my soul from all the insanity. Humanity is mad!

[@elizabethlilly3106]

So nice to listen to. I am also listening as I remember my father, a lifelong lover of classical music.

[@alexandermackay-smith2364]

I am so sorry there is no music in your house now. If it has been driven out by untoward events in your life, I hope further events go better until you can invite the music back in.

[@DieFlabbergast]

This is one of the most sublimely beautiful pieces of music ever written.

[@Reviyzed]

DieFlabbergast you have never listened to Tupac then

[@DieFlabbergast]

How right you are: I don't even know who he or she is; but I can guess.

[@adamredman3000]

yes it is sublime. I lost my CD of this 25 years ago. Was wonderful to rediscover it here. When I was younger I played this too loudly. Years later I bumped into an elderly woman who by chance who was my neighbor back at that time. She said: "Oh! You must be the boy that played the beautiful music. What was it? It has haunted me ever since and I must hear it again!"

[@BrooklinFunkProject]

Strangely enough also one of the first! (actually written down).... I agree

[@HerefordshireICT]

Particularly the Agnus Dei

[@johnfisher247]

What is so good is this recording is authentic with all male voices. As I am Catholic and go to the Traditional Mass offered by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter I hear this and worship as Byrd did.

[@Mike-vc6oi]

Back in the days of music on cassette tapes, I found this work of beauty , on a market stall, in a second hand tape. It was like finding treasure ! Thank you for sharing it here today. Mike

[@Mopsisgone]

Thank God for the genius of this music and the reason to write it. Amen! xxx

[@henryfonteneau8087]

Quel joli cantique, délicat, receuilli et nous apportant joie et sérénité ! Vive la musique polyphonique pré baroque !

[@nselck]

this is so captivating. I was going to bed, and then I found this randomly. It's a problem really - Im working early tomorrow, and I can not turn music this off

[@Ely76]

listen to it again! now!

[@gabrielletrenbath945]

Same

[@PaulMann8666]

God is in music like this. Our glimpse of his glorious love. No words can bring us nearer.

[@catwoman-vr8yb]

I truly believe God is in this music. Who but He could give us such glory?

[@timmycakes001]

@@catwoman-vr8ybum talented musicians?

[@EdMcF1]

Byrd's house site in Lincoln, a few yards from the wonderful cathedral of that fine city, is easy to visit. It is truly astounding to stand outside and look at the cathedral he would have seen.

[@mesdellafloria7822]

First time listening to Byrd - blown away so far

[@ruthe.kastner6346]

Byrd is my favorite Renaissance-era composer. You might also enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2XFinl9i9aGqJY

[@medievalmusiclover]

I love ❤ W Byrd. All for the glory of our Lord Jesus of Nazareth.

[@stephanfernandoBASS]

❤❤❤

[@forthandbargy]

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world , have mercy on us.

[@alexandermackay-smith2364]

That would take a lot of mercy.

[@jileel]

Been coming back to this for years. Still good as ever.

[@Wynstorm3]

These men are simply magnificent. I've listened since I was a teen and have loved their musicality ever since.

[@GoldinDr]

Recently I've noticed a few KZbin comments about the best King's Singers recording of them all. I think this is it.

[@benjamMin278]

It’s quite melodious to be sure. The best?! 😮 Now that’s saying something considering the reputation of the King’s Singers.

[@GoldinDr]

@@benjamMin278 It's among the best, to be sure.

[@santanauto]

Mathias from Brazil! I thank you for disposable this beautiful song! My grand father fight in that second war! And he love this kind of music and I like it too! Thanks!

[@mrhearse777]

I remember the original King's Singers . Sublime then , and still sublime!

[@swittle]

Such sublime music smoothes the long and rocky pathway to better belief and spiritual understanding.

[@boogie715]

Love this song, particularly that tenor part on 5:30-5:53 and the alto coming in afterwards. Their harmonization is just sublime.

[@oliversweet4460]

love your username!

[@boogie715]

O man Thanks! :)

[@advocate1563]

My partner and I sing this mass regularly at.home. There is little more uplifting. The Kyrie and Agnus Dei are beyond beautiful.

[@johninman7545]

oh wow!

[@philruane5910]

Brilliant

[@Yellow_Magpie]

Very moving. There's a very refined sense of innocence to the gloria! Incredible 4 part writing, and what a great recording!

[@tigerarmyrule]

+kungfuridinghood refined sense of innocence is a apt description. Your phrase opened my understanding of this beautiful music.

[@TheSwimvoice]

Those guys are fantastic. Plain and simple fantastic... if you have the chance to see/hear them live - don't miss it!

[@patthewoodboy]

the human voice expressing , doesnt get any better :-)

Bass at 00:13 - 00:19 ... Perfection.

[@seinirduron1007]

Ekin Gören So true. Especially for us bass singers who don't always get the most 'fun' part in a choir song. I just wish we sang more songs like this in choir, instead of all the pop-y stuff. Not saying it's bad, just that a little variety wouldn't hurt every now and again.

[@abnorcscreenname8489]

Seinir Duron Pop music was not written for a choral arrangement. It is not bad, but a choir can sound so much better singing choral music IMHO.

[@roycezaro1998]

+Seinir Duron Crazy bill rocks the house

[@luableah7615]

How do people sing like this??

[@fanBBL]

Everything at 0:00 - 23:17 ... Perfection

[@santanauto]

The most beautiful! Thanks for who show this to the world. If he think a platform like this he will be a king. Greetings from Brazil!

[@gillianrobb3223]

Magnifique...utterly magnifique ,eh? His mass for 5 voces is summat else as well...listen to the soaring harmonies , the delightful ins and outs of the voices , of the varying timbres...he's the biz , the divine Byrd...yes , but don't go overboard...he'll never be another Des O' Connor or even Vince Hill , but he's bluddy good , give the man his due

[@dididoo]

I sit down with the music to follow, hadn't even looked at it at all not had the time. And at the beginning of the Kyrie I suddenly realise that I know it! I sang it 35 years ago!! I'd forgotten all about it. I clearly also remember the bass part, I'm soprano, we were 4 here in France in the north east. Well what a surprise!

[@classicaldeb]

obsessed with the King's Singers. saw them in '87, Boston. hurrah!

[@PenkethKahns]

The rendition of 'Jesu Christe' that comes again and again and again towards 4 minutes 03:40 is quite incredible.

[@martenking9116]

Having studied all 3 of Byrd's masses (3,4 & 5 voices) & having performed the 5 voice in choir, I can say that this music is highly satisfying to sing. Even though the Catholic liturgy since Vatican II has been in the local language of the individual parish, this music stands by itself exclusive of the mass.

[@carolineleiden]

Marten King The FSSPX (Pius X) still does "old fashioned" Tridentine masses, entirely sung and entirely in Latin, complete with this music. On their site you can find out where they have their churches. A beautiful, profound and uplifting experience. And the choir always needs good people!

[@vilmaaguilar6332]

+carolineleiden bmp

[@tigerarmyrule]

+carolineleiden and what a great great shame that the Church has parked all this beauty and grandeur.

[@kimfleury]

The Church has not "parked" it -- it's still available, by request if you must. +carolineleiden mixed up two separate acronyms -- FSSP is the Fraternity of St. Peter (www.fssp.org/en/presentation.htm), fully in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and obeys the Magisterium. The FSSP says the Tridentine Mass, with full permission of the Holy See and the local bishop. If you want them to come to your diocese, just ask your bishop. But you can also just ask for the Tridentine Mass even without the FSSP fathers, as some parishes in my diocese have done. It's important to note facts about the SSPX (the Society of St. Pius X that +carolineleiden mentioned in her mixed up acronym): First, they look Catholic, the sound Catholic, and they even smell Catholic, but they refuse to obey the Magisterium, thereby placing themselves outside the Church. Second, and crucial for Catholics who wish to remain in good standing with the Church and receive valid Sacraments, the Church has stated that the SSPX does NOT offer valid Sacraments, except for Reconciliation, because they do not have permission to celebrate the Mass or consecrate the Eucharistic Host. Even the devils know that without the permission of the local bishop, they don't have to obey an exorcist! How much more precious is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Consecrated Host! As the Gospels make clear, Jesus gave all authority to the Church through St. Peter and the Apostles by making them all bishops, with St. Peter as their leader -- the chairman, if you will. Anyone who acts outside the authority of the direct Apostolic lineage has no authority whatsoever. The SSPX take umbrage with the new form of the Mass, but they perform nothing more than a play, going through the motions of the Mass without anything supernatural taking place -- no transubstantiation occurs, so Christ is not present in their communion bread. I've heard that their priests try to get around this by tricking validly consecrated bishops to ordain and consecrate them, but if they sought seminary training with subterfuge in mind, then the consecration might not be valid (as when someone makes marriage vows without intending to abide by them, it invalidates the marriage). In any case, without permission from the local bishop in communion with Rome, there is no valid Sacrament. A Catholic may put their soul in grave danger if they knowingly participate in an SSPX mimicry of the Holy Mass. That's why people should be aware of what SSPX really is.

[@kimfleury]

+carolineleiden you mixed up your acronyms in this comment -- FSSP celebrates the Tridentine Missa with full approval of the Holy See and with the permission of the local bishop. The SSPX (Society of St. Pius X) are rebellious and have excommunicated themselves from the Church by refusing to recognize the authority of the Magisterium.

[@marybroad6471]

Thanks guys all! Just waking up right now and thinking of having my first cup of tea!

[@thomastallerico6340]

Just beautiful. Goes deep into my soul.

[@GAR23LOVMUZ]

The King’s Singers At Their Very Best 🎵

[@PetrusStastokius]

Music that elevates the soul, simply magnificent and beautiful.

[@evamariasierramarin1744]

Gracias 💫💖

[@actiasartemis2747]

It is one of my favorite songs from my young student.

[@LightBearer93]

Exquisite polyphony, truly a delight!

[@marybroad6471]

What a beautiful strange land into which we have arrived. I look forward to having the time to listen, watch and learn about the lives we all share XXXX

[@ericaeyrich2556]

Have you ever lived in Freiburg, Germany?

[@marybroad6471]

Wish I had such talent, love listening to you all. Glad to be an inspiration!

[@LouisRomegoux]

utterly beautiful

[@santanauto]

Perfect human voices...

[@lastword9133]

Úžasné hlasy - hrůza inspirující.

[@sybrandb1]

Wonderful! I didn't know Kings Singers are as good as the Hilliard Ensemble. And William Byrd is simply one of the best and also somewhat neglected composer of the High Renaissance

[@earlefrost5512]

um... no. Byrd is one of the most popular composers of the Elizabethan renaissance, and his works are found in the repetoire of church choirs around the world. YES he is fantastically great, but NO, he is not neglected.

[@Jurazgar1]

Its weird that nobody commented on the Agnus Dei. By far the most beautyfull part of the mass, i loved the end!

[@hansekbrand]

I also find the Agnus Dei the most beautiful part of this mass. Another fine performance of this Agnus Dei is kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5zXY4emlqp3jJI by four members of the "Sixteen".

[@DieFlabbergast]

Agnes Day? Yeah, I used to date her.

[@phunse1]

Especially Dona nobis pacem.

[@keithstewart7587]

to Bernardo: your question about tonality is touched on in the edition of the Essay, BBC R3, 1st March 2016, 'Byrd: Mass for Four Voices', by Stephen Johnson- available via iPlayer.

[@ceciliabombinescribano8982]

wonderffullll

[@dipandra9758]

Simply GREAT! The more I heard it the more it hooks me up. A sort of singing dream.

[@GAR23LOVMUZ]

Beautiful Performance By The King’s Singers ! 🎵

[@balthazartyshow1765]

very beautiful and soothing Thanks 🙏

[@lucia_netri]

Baroque was gift to God, but reinassance was gift to humanity...

[@stonemaze9925]

Ooo! Seamless polophony....ooh lovely!

[@ОльгаБыстрова-ю5б]

Это потрясающе👏👏👏❤️

[@Hawaiian_Pizza_Enjoyer]

ZombiU directed my attention to this composer. His work is quite beautiful.

[@eduardoquincoso7497]

William Byrd, es genio trascendental de la música toda !

[@gabrielegallerani915]

Se gli angeli cantano ,cantano questo

[@304BBQ]

I sang this the first song with my choir this year and absolutely loves it

[@philruane5910]

I believe its his 400 yr old birthday about now. He left this for us.

[@SilverWolf941]

Just picked up the Riemenschneider to study some chorales and heard the earl of Salisbury from a KZbin recommendation. Some definite techniques I'd like to learn from these scores, if available.

[@romearomeo]

MUSICA DIVINA

[@estevec147]

Angeles en la tierra graciasssssss

[@charlesrae3793]

If you sleep in, tell the boss to blame Byrd for writing such captivating music!

[@santanauto]

Thank you again...

[@xathron908]

This gives an ominous but at the same time very noble background behind the voices and in the voices. Definitely gives me some lucid visions and flashba.....that's not the point.. but this is a great work of art!

[@devonwalter6053]

The bass from 0:13 to 0:19 keeps messing with my brain because I keep thinking at 0:19 he’s going to hit a low note but he doesn’t which always gets me.

[@pauline5248]

This is what it must be like to be in heaven. Sheer bliss!

[@hebejeebee]

Pauline K. Except for the bit where you're dead maybe.... :)

[@KKIcons]

+Jon Bradley Yeah the dying part is a little problematic...

[@MedievalRichard]

Marvellous.

[@ConnorJohnson]

I was astonished to find out I am related to William Byrd. Music runs in my family, but I’ve never realized where it came from. Now I know!

[@andrewroberts8139]

I'm related to Mendelssohn! And had an orchestra buddy who was related to Kreisler! There should be a club for relatives of great composers!

[@elysian132]

Your ancestor was a great musician...❤️

[@glockengambe]

02:42 - Interesting! Free citation from Palestrina's Gloria in missa papae marcelli.

[@joeokelue2021]

Heavenly

[@JordanMetroidManiac]

I haven't heard of Byrd yet, and this is the first piece of his that I'm hearing. I was trying to find a composer that came before Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) to see how much Vivaldi may have impacted the styles of classical music. I know he certainly did influence Mozart. You can just hear it. But this kind of music is really something different. I really like the bass from 0:13 to 0:19. And that uprising at 16:18!

[@fleeb]

Jordan Fischer Other composers older than Vivaldi that you might find interesting: J.S. Bach Johannes Ockaghem Josquin DesPrez Johan Joseph Fux And for someone who only really influenced modern composers, but comes before Vivaldi, consider Carlo Gesualdo.

[@plarue4361]

+Jordan Fischer I don't know what work, I do know Mozart hand copied a work by Byrd

[@KKIcons]

Orlando Gibbons.

[@johneriugena]

+KK Icons I believe it may have been Allegri's Miserere that Mozart is said to have written out from memory as a child

[@johneriugena]

+KK Icons I believe it may have been Allegri's Miserere that Mozart is said to have written out from memory as a child

[@GeaVox]

Musica divina perfino per noi atei! :) GRAZIE!

[@vivianbelissima]

⁰00⁰⁰00⁰000

[@alexanderevans2729]

12:05 - 12:25 is perfect

[@lucasonzogni9750]

Fantastico

[@zooblestyx]

The build-up towards the "amen" in Gloria, and the way it resolves into the warm timbre and perfect intonation of the finishing chord. I'm just completely transfixed following its motion, and then the solemn and calm power of the resolving chord completely dispels the tension in the most soothing way.

[@davidphilbrook6725]

These guys aren't bad. They may go places.

[@rogerroger600]

Yeah...perhaps...maybe; who could say?

[@Opuskrokus]

11 months later and I haven't heard anything more from them. Seems like just another one hit wonder to me!

[@MF-dz1gi]

Haha the group is more than 40 years old and one of the most prestigious a Capella groups in the world. They've definitely gone places. And definitely not a one hit wonder, they have a colossal repertoire.

[@dorothearussell304]

Lol. Sorry, but I had to laugh. Do a quick KZbin search and you can listen to dozens of their recordings of very successful concerts. I saw them in a concert earlier this year, and although they're mostly a new group now, they always keep their same spirit and style. Very kind and approachable men, too. They stayed behind after the concert to sign cds and talk to the audience. They're celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

[@andrewroberts8139]

Who would win a rRenaissance riff-off between the King's Singers and the Tallis Scholars

[@marybroad6471]

Love to you all, Jesus I am just one of you muddling my way through Gods promised land!

[@mauromori]

Gostaria de saber pelo menos o ano da gravação, ou melhor: o nome dos cantores. Me parece reconhecer algumas das vozes, mas não tenho certeza. O grupo é sempre muito bom em todas as suas formações, mas algumas ultrapassam o simplesmente "bom" para o "extraordinário". Como a dos anos 80. A sonoridade desta gravação esta neste nivel: sublime. Exatamente o que a esta missa de Byrd metece: sublime!!!

[@owlplatinum388]

I just love how all the ending chords are like perfectly in tune

[@andrewroberts8139]

Yes. whatever else you screw up you need to get the last notes in tune :)

[@markking8292]

How is it that their voices sound so much like a string quartet?? Are they being doubled by instruments?

[@erickrarick]

Mark King It looks like they've been joined by a group called Concordia - www.kingssingers.com/products/1605-treason-and-dischord/

[@zharston]

Mark King Just clear, resonant tone :) And matching vowel sounds

[@erickrarick]

Zach Harston And the instruments stealthily playing with them.

[@JETobin]

erickrarick there is no instruments, the listed orchestra you shared is for the other works - but a wonderful pure rendition nonetheless

[@erickrarick]

Bagend123 Some of it likely is a cappella, but there is definitely instrumental support in some places as well - and so well blended that it is easy to miss it. But, I will direct you to the 'Et resurrexit' entrance in the Credo: 11:46 The Bass line is clearly augmented, by a Cello I assume. Listen with an extremely critical ear, and you will start to hear that texture come through in other places. Don't get me wrong, I think it is fantastic and now my favorite recording of this piece. Masterfully blended.

[@punmaster2271]

Which kings singers are in the recording? Is it David Hurley, Paul Phoenix, Phillip Lawson and Stephen Connolly?

[@toutanimi1415]

I had difficult to listen this type of music, to old (before 1600 is to old for me) but this song is the exeption, like him ^^

[@davidnesbit6710]

Lovely performance by the King's Singers and most pleasant to have on the computer whilst working(!) Question: Is their pace a tad slower than, as written or is it just the King's Singers "style"?

[@TimothyMallis]

In answer to your question, Byrd didn't specify a tempo for his music but is generally performed at a slightly faster tempo as you has mentioned. The King's Singers will often approach pieces with fresh interpretations so the King's Singers 'style' isn't really something set in stone. I hope this answers your question!

[@davidnesbit6710]

Hi John, MThanks for your feedback, most appreciated and it's all clear now. I never realised that the King's Singers were putting their own interpretation in their performances. WRgds - David

[@lumberjack1901]

If you would look/listen to Ton Koopman, you will see a rich mix of approaches to interpretation of his played and conducted works, of which a lot of J. S Bach. I myself, am very content and happy with Ton´s Life Long work to perfect "interpretation" in any way possible. Admitting it is subjective, one of those accacions a can live and undeline such. ;)

[@CATHERINEGERBER]

15:50 sanctus et benedictus 19:44 agnus dei

[@btonasse]

Can someone more versed in this tell me if this is some transcription to a lower tonality? The trebles sound really low than they should... Or am I dreaming?

[@alexanderevans2729]

+Bernardo Tonasse i can confirm that it is a perfect 4th lower

[@jegraham440]

Not uncommon to transpose a capella choral music in order to make the best sound for your oarticular group of singers.

[@alishalileh]

Divine

[@solcalderon726]

Bella. Inmortal. Bendito sea el Eterno Dios Jesucristo.

[@laurapascu4369]

1580's music! I LIKE IT!

[@ianclarke1852]

Laura Pascu if you say you like 80s music most people presume its the 1980s!

[@antoineth873]

Please guys can someone tell me in which tone this version is ? Would be really appreciate :)

[@pedalwerk]

Whilst the music was originally in G minor, and many editions for SATB are in F minor, the King's singers sing it in Db minor (significantly lower to allow for the Countertenors to sing the higher parts, also why the Bass part is sung particularly low in this recording).

[@OSMOSE20]

DIVIN.

[@TurgayErdener]

çok iyi bir yorumlama, congratulations...

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Takes me to an other place ❤

[@tedf.5055]

For over one thousand years, the Europeans have been creating the worlds most beautiful music. The modern progressive cannot take that away. It was Europe and her people, that conceived all of the music enjoyed today. There are no exceptions. I feel a pride, in that fact. I am saddened that such pride is looked upon, with scorn. God bless the European and the European American. God bless America.

[@nathanandnickSherbetImage]

Agreed.well said.

[@jfgandara]

The sheet music is not available on that link. Can you provide a link to the sheet music, where to buy?

[@vlekk]

Try this link www3.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Mass_for_Four_Voices_%28William_Byrd%29

[@nethmifernando3802]

the correct side of youtube

[@ryan.1990]

I almost thought they were going to sing Kyrie Eleison when it began. Oh wait, are they?

[@yellow2108]

As seen in the description, yes they are xD You probably have realized that in the meantime but I just wanted to write it :) Please forgive me for that

[@GeaVox]

hence the singing "Kyrie Eleison"?

[@yellow2108]

Be careful mate, replying to a comment 1 year old is like digging a grave!

[@ShawnComposer]

what if it is 2 years old?

[@Doeff8]

Or 3 years?

[@ZKBeatz07]

Does anybody know, what they are singing about?

[@b0rken]

gr8 b8 m8 8/8 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrie en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_in_excelsis_Deo &c. &c.

[@HolyKhaaaaan]

It's the Catholic/Anglican Mass. Lord Have Mercy (Kyrie eleison) Glory to God in the Highest (Gloria in Excelsis Deo) I Believe in One God (Credo in unum Deum) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts (Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth) Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world (Angus dei qui tollis peccata mundi)

[@nonezoner]

High Church Anglo-Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans do have Mass. They simply have a different understanding of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, namely do not ascribe to the doctrine of Transubstantiation. Luther made it very clear that the Mass is retained.

[@gopetogle]

Might be some debate among scholars but the general consensus is that it translates as thus: Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you. Hope that helped! :)

[@nonezoner]

Yep, those are the right lyrics.

[@valprice22]

What key is this piece in?

[@a0b0]

go on bill, great tunage

[@antoninopirrone2541]

❤❤