Tallis Scholars sing William Byrd (Incls Mass for Five Voices & Mass for Four Voices)

"This will delight fans of Byrd and this choir. Compelling performances (especially Ave verum) and a resonant if slightly distant sound. Some pieces though (the Mass a 5) have a surface, rather than inner, drive." BBC Music Magazine, January 2008 ****

William Byrd was a devout Catholic living in England at a time when Catholic forms of worship were outlawed. As a musician trained to serve the church, he faced the constant challenge of reconciling his faith with the need to earn his living in a Protestant country. His three Masses, which would have been performed in secret, reflect the intense feelings of a man facing the conflict of being true to his faith whilst serving Elizabeth I as Gentleman of the Chapel Royal.

"This for me is the sort of musical bliss which should never stop"
Gordon Reynolds - GRAMOPHONE