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The fantasia was in the process of being adapted for keyboard from lute and consort music during William Byrd’s youth, and his formidable mastery of counterpoint brought the form to a pinnacle equivalent to his matchless vocal works. These splendours combine with lively dances and virtuoso display and quotations from songs of love and death. They also may hold fascinating symbols which mark secret Catholic allegiances, a gift for Elizabeth I, and a memorial to the tragic Mary, Queen of Scots. Our cover image shows the only possible contemporary impression of Byrd, as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal at the funeral of Elizabeth I.
Anonymous: Praeludium in G major (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, No. 117)
Praeludium in G major (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, No. 117)
William Byrd: Fantasia in G major, No. 2 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 62)
Fantasia in G major, No. 2 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 62)
William Byrd: Praeludium to the Fancie in A minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 12)
Praeludium to the Fancie in A minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 12)
William Byrd: Fantasia in A minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 13)
Fantasia in A minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 13)
William Byrd: Praeludium in C major (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 24)
Praeludium in C major (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 24)
William Byrd: Fantasia in C major, No. 2 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 25)
Fantasia in C major, No. 2 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 25)
William Byrd: Fantasia in G minor (Music Britannica, Vol. 55, No. 55)
Fantasia in G minor (Music Britannica, Vol. 55, No. 55)
William Byrd: Ut re mi fa sol la in G major (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 64)
Ut re mi fa sol la in G major (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 64)
William Byrd: Ut mi re (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 65)
Ut mi re (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 65)
John Bull: Prelude: Doric Music (Musica Britannica, Vol. 14, No. 59)
Prelude: Doric Music (Musica Britannica, Vol. 14, No. 59)
William Byrd: Fantasia in D minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 18, No. 46)
Fantasia in D minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 18, No. 46)
Praeludium (attrib. W. Byrd) (Musica Britannica, Vol. 55, No. 3)
William Byrd: Ut re mi fa sol la in F major (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 58)
Ut re mi fa sol la in F major (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 58)
William Byrd: Praeludium in G minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 17, No. 1)
Praeludium in G minor (Musica Britannica, Vol. 17, No. 1)
William Byrd: Fantasia in G major, No. 3 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 63)
Fantasia in G major, No. 3 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 28, No. 63)
William Byrd: Fantasia in C major, No. 1 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 26)
Fantasia in C major, No. 1 (Musica Britannica, Vol. 27, No. 26)
January 2012
****
“Glen Wilson squares up to the Fantasias...If his playing isn't always free, it's eagle-eyed in its attention to detail: ornaments crackle with exactitude and the counterpoint is lucidly deconstructed with didactic precision...those seeking the Fantasias without having to purchase a complete set need not hesitate: a few moments of stiffness aside, Wilson is compelling.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Praeludium in G major (Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, No. 117)