On the quatercentenary of the death of one of England’s greatest composers, WIlliam Byrd, I would like to repost this.
“You can really tell if it’s Byrd or Tallis from the first few bars?”
H. likes some Early and 16th Century music, but is more of a Romantic and 20th Century man. He likes passion in music. I like post-white-ruff composers but need serenity and the reassurance that the world makes sense. So we meet in the middle, at J.S. Bach.
I know that, sooner or later, he will test me. My eyes dart around the room and I chew on the inside of my cheek. “Yes,” I finally reply.
It takes six months. Then, one day, he remembers and pulls out a couple of CDs from the shelf. I sit on the sofa, ready for my aural exam, somewhat anxious I’m about to fall flat on my face in a sticky puddle of embarrassment.
He plays the first few seconds of eleven separate pieces.
“Byrd. Byrd. Tallis. Byrd.” I…
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Thank you for reading and for your comments, Christine.
I’m so impressed at your and H.’s breadth of knowledge of music. I don’t think any less of you if you can’t identify Byrd or Tallis after a few bars! July 4 is Independence Day here on our side of the pond. It’s also the anniversary of my maternal grandmother’s death day. She died on a day much like day, warm, sunny, with wild, orange lilies growing along the roadsides. Your post and my grandmother’s death anniversary make me reflect on how quickly lifetimes pass. I am exactly as old as my grandmother was when she died. Living in England made me keenly aware how fleeting our lifetimes are, because I was surrounded by architecture hundreds of years old—buildings built long before the Declaration of Independence was signed. I am so grateful we have the music of at least some of composers who lived hundreds of years ago. I also love Bach! I wish I could join you and H. for evensong. Perhaps one day…