To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, Westminster Cathedral Choir will perform the entirety of his Gradualia - settings of music for Mass - during choral services at Westminster Cathedral.
including Solemn Memorial Mass for William Byrd Tuesday 4th July 2023 – 5.30pm
We remarked that the page has to say: "The music was intended to help Catholics mark the different seasons of the Church’s calendar, and all 109 pieces will be performed at the appropriate time of the year."
Could it be that the Cathedral finds some people have to have the notion of "propers" explained to them?
I'm sad that my dad (who loved the music of Byrd) didn't live to see this, but very very pleased to see that it is taking place. Thank you, Tom, for bringing it to our attention.
Andrew Malton - Westminster Cathedral is open all day and hundreds of tourists and visitors wander in and out. For some it will be a first step in their knowledge of God. It is a matter of ordinary prudence to make no assumption about what any one of them knows, even those interested enough to read a notice about William Byrd's music.
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