harpsichord music by Wyllyam Byrde

Wyllyam Byrde (as he signed himself), 1540-1623, was the leading composer of the Elizabethan age. Organist of the Chapel Royal, his output covers all the musical forms of his era. His keyboard music is truly delightful: witty & highly rhythmic even when writing counterpoint. We are extremely fortunate that Francis Tregian spent his miserable years in the Fleet prison compiling what has become know as the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, for it is the only source throu which most of this music has come down to us.