CD 1:
The eagle’s force
Of flattering speech
In winter cold
Whereat an ant
Who looks may leap
Sing ye to our Lord a new song
I have been young, but now am old
In crystal towers This sweet and merry month of May;Let not the sluggish sleep
A feigned friend
Awake mine eyes
Come jolly swains
What is life, or worldly pleasure?
Fantasia (in 4 parts)
Come let us rejoice unto our Lord
Retire my soul, consider thine estate
Arise Lord into thy rest
Come woeful Orpheus

CD 2:
Sing we merrily unto God
Blow up the trumpet
Crowned with flowers
Wedded to will is witles
Make we joy to God
Have mercy upon me O God
Fantasia (in 6 parts)
This day Christ was born
O God that guides the cheerful sun
Praise our Lord all ye Gentiles
Turn our captivity, O Lord
Ah silly soul
How vain the toils

‘To all true lovers of Musicke…. Being excited by your kind acceptance of my former travails in Musicke, I am thereby much encouraged to commend to you these my last labours… Wherein I hope you shall find Musicke to content every humour: either melancholy, merry, or mixt of both.’

Said William Byrd of his final publication – the Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets of 1611. And what a superbly fitting culmination to a lifetime of musical service it is! As well as being packed with variety and invention – including both sacred and secular music and using a range of forces from small trios to consorts to full choir – it is probably the happiest, most serene collection of music Byrd ever produced.

Ahead of William Byrd’s 400th Anniversary in 2023, The Sixteen and Harry Christophers are joined by celebrated Viol Consort, Fretwork, for this new complete recording of the Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets of 1611.