William Byrd - Ne irascaris, Domine

Byrd, a pupil of Tallis, obtained the prestigious post of Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1572. Though he was not required to write in as many styles as Tallis, since the political and religious situation in England had settled somewhat by Byrd’s tenure, he was an impressive successor to his teacher. Byrd’s musical challenges were more personal. He spent his life composing for a Protestant church as a devout Catholic. The new Protestant service required a compositional style that clearly communicated the meaning of the text to the congregation, which amounted to a primarily chordal texture with English language text. The Catholic tradition still favored Latin texts and the music was more elaborate in style. Byrd’s music was a compromise and sat right in the middle - simpler than contemporary Catholic music and more complex than his Protestant colleague's compositions. Despite this seeming compromise, many believe that his music often reflects his desire for the return of Catholicism in veiled terms, particularly in Ne irascaris, Domine. It may have been this inner conflict that allowed Byrd to produce some of the most beautiful compositions of Renaissance vocal music ever written.
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***
Ne irascaris Domine
Words: Old Testament (Isaiah 64: 9-10)
Music: William Byrd (1540-1623)
Ne irascaris Domine satis,
et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis nostrae.
Ecce respice populus tuus omnes nos.
Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta.
Sion deserta facta est,
Jerusalem desolata est.
Be not angry, O Lord,
and remember our iniquity no more.
Behold, we are all your people.
Your holy city has become a wilderness.
Zion has become a wilderness,
Jerusalem has been made desolate.
***
BYRD ENSEMBLE, directed by Markdavin Obenza
SOPRANO
Ruth Schauble
Margaret Obenza
ALTO
Danielle Reutter-Harrah
Sarra Sharif Doyle
COUNTERTENOR
Joshua Haberman
Willimark Obenza
TENOR
Orrin Doyle
Carson Lott
BASS
Kevin Wyatt-Stone
Clayton Moser
Recorded October 2021 at St. James Cathedral, Seattle.

[@el7284]

Warm, inviting, and not overdrawn. Lovely.

[@MarkdavinObenza]

Thank you!

[@vewilli]

Incredibly beautifully sung! Perfect recording. My favorite song by W. Byrd is „Laudibus in sanctis“.

[@MarkusProductions]

Beautiful, amazing ensemble