Caged Byrd

Description

Product description Sophie Yates, clavecin - Concordia - I Fagiolini .com Although these days Byrd is mostly known for his vast output of sacred choral works, he contributed a considerable number of secular and instrumental pieces to the repertoire, and this disc includes a variety of works in all of these genres. In Byrd's England, musical accomplishment in the form of singing or playing an instrument was an accepted and highly regarded social skill. Naturally, composers filled the need for music to be performed in the homes of amateur musicians, and much of it took the form of songs and instrumental pieces for keyboard or groups of viols. Here, by means of the talents of I Fagiolini--a refreshingly spirited singing ensemble--Concordia consort of viols, and acclaimed harpsichordist Sophie Yateswe enjoy both Byrd's lighter side and a few of his more substantial religious works, arranged in an attractive and enlightening program. --David Vernier