William Byrd: Versatile Composer of the Renaissance

William Byrd was a celebrated English composer of the Renaissance. Haec Dies is a motet from Missale Romanum. Byrd studied music under Thomas Tallis, composed Catholic masses and Anglican church services. He fell in and out of favor though, living through chaotic political and religious times of Queen Elizabeth I, James I, and Henry VIII. In addition to religious compositions, Byrd also composed madrigals and Elizabethan dance music.

A motet is a musical piece in different part with words. The word motet comes from the Latin "movere", to move. Unlike medieval motets, Renaissance motets were polyphonic with imitative counterpoint.



Latin: Haec dies quam fecit Dominus: Exultemus et laetemur in ea. Alleluia.

English: This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.

William Byrd biography