Byrd, << burd, >> William (1543-1623), was an English composer known for his religious music. Byrd wrote three masses and many choral works called motets for the Roman Catholic Church. He also wrote anthems and psalms for the Church of England. In addition, Byrd composed nonreligious works for chorus and solo voice and chamber music for viol, a stringed instrument that was popular during the 1500’s. Seventy of Byrd’s compositions for the virginal, an early small harpsichord, are included in a famous collection called the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book (about 1625).
Byrd was probably born in Lincoln and became cathedral organist there in 1563. He moved to London in 1572, where he shared the post of organist at the Chapel Royal with his former teacher, composer Thomas Tallis. In 1575, Queen Elizabeth I granted Byrd and Tallis an exclusive license to issue printed music. Their first publication was a collection of their own motets called Cantiones Sacrae (1575). In his later years, Byrd provided music for the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, Byrd taught a number of younger composers. He died on July 4, 1623.
