Musical Friendships: Tallis, Byrd, De Monte
William Byrd, student, friend and then colleague of Thomas Tallis when they jointly published the 1575 motet collection Cantiones sacrae . This being the time of the Reformation, Byrd and Tallis both had to practice their Catholicism in secret whilst outwardly providing music for the Anglican church. Philippe de Monte was also catholic, but able to practise openly and was renowned throughout Europe, working in various capitals including in England where he is believed to have met Byrd.
Subsequently he instigated a musical friendship with Byrd, sending him a setting of the text from Psalm 137, Super fluminus Babylonis (By the waters of Babylon), seen as an allegory to represent Catholics unable to follow their faith openly. Byrd’s musical reply was a setting of Quomodo cantabimus (How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?), the next part of the same psalm, written in the same key and for the same forces.
Welsh Camerata’s concert of sacred and secular music by all three composers culminates in a performance of these two works.
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After the concerts refreshments will be served.
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Tickets on the door by card or cash. More information from http://www.welshcamerata.org or mailto:admin@welshcamerata.org
