The Honour of William Byrd

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Whether or not these vocal works were meant to be sung by male singers is debateable, but Helen Charlston’s rich, deep timbre make such distinctions irrelevant. Supple, controlled and vibrato... — BBC Music Magazine, November 2023, 4 out of 5 stars (Performance) / 3 out of 5 stars (Recording) More…

Release Date: 4th Aug 2023
Catalogue No: BIS2663
Label: BIS
Length: 74 minutes

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Byrd: Thou poet’s friend

Work length2:04

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: In nomine a4

Work length2:43

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Wretched Albinus, consort song for voice & 4 viols

Work length2:25

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Fantasia à 6 (II)

Work length5:12

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock, Harry Buckoke
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: With lilies white, consort song for voice & 4 viols

Work length4:50

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Fantasia, 'The Leaves Be Green'

Work length4:01

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: The sweet and merry month of May

Work length2:50

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth

Work length2:21

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: All as a sea

Work length3:20

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Fantasia a 5 'Two Parts in One in the 4th Above'

Work length5:16

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Come to me, grief, for ever

Work length5:47

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Sellinger's Round

Work length4:42

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Blessed is he that fears the Lord

Work length5:35

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Why do I use my paper, inke and penne?

Work length7:21

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Fantasia à 6

Work length3:24

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock, Harry Buckoke
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Ah silly Soul

Work length2:48

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Rejoice unto the Lord

Work length3:19

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Fantasia a 4

Work length2:49

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Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

Byrd: Ye sacred muses - an elegy for Thomas Tallis

Work length3:35

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Helen Charlston, Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder, Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen, Jennifer Bullock
Chelys Consort of Viols

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This disc provides an opportunity to explore the music of the proud Englishman, the devoted friend, the loyal subject, and the faithful servant that was William Byrd, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. Through a collection of songs and instrumental works performed by the Chelys Consorts of Viols joined by tenor violist Harry Buckoke and mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, this recording introduces this key figure of the English Renaissance music: both devoutly Catholic and a favourite of the Protestant Queen, a serious character capable of weighty contemplation but also sharp wit and humour, and the loyal friend who wrote so personally and touchingly. Beginning with Thou poet’s friend, a celebration of the union of poetry and music, the ensemble’s carefully chosen works are in turn gay, sad, religious and secular, culminating in one of the best and most moving consort songs ever composed, Ye sacred Muses, a tribute to Thomas Tallis, Byrd’s teacher, colleague and friend. The seven instrumental pieces showcase Byrd’s inventiveness with their unexpected runs, cross-rhythms, daring harmonies, lively dances and the joy of sheer virtuosity.

Reviews

November 2023

Whether or not these vocal works were meant to be sung by male singers is debateable, but Helen Charlston’s rich, deep timbre make such distinctions irrelevant. Supple, controlled and vibrato free, she is sympathetically supported by a combination of treble, tenor and bass viols, which come into their own in Byrd’s complex but rhythmically appealing Fantasias.

Jan/Feb 2024

It is immediately apparent that The Chelys Consort is smooth and fluid in its performances. Each voice stands out so that one can appreciate Byrd’s often twisting lines, with a depth that provides a soft and integrated texture. The vocal parts sung by Helen Charlston are done with ease and a good sense of integrating the text into the ensemble as a whole. Well worth obtaining.

October 2023

[Charlston] can give life to a line like few others; her diction is marvellous, and marvellously varied; everything flows with incomparable beauty.

22nd June 2023

Songs lamenting the deaths of the courtier Philip Sidney and Byrd’s mentor Thomas Tallis stand out amid a consistently intriguing programme. Played by the Chelys Consort and flawlessly sung by the mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, the whole thing is beautifully done.

The Honour of William Byrd

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