SKU: A0.1290878

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

 He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.1290870

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.796779

Advanced Intermediate. SCORE ONLY: 33 pages. Duration: 9 minutes.

Advanced Solo Violin plus Intermediate Violins I & II, Violas, Cellos, and Basses.

            Midnight Train to St. Petersburg was inspired by the train ride itself during the composer’s trek to Russia in 2006. The trip was made by faculty and students of Wayland Baptist University’s School of Music to allow the University’s Pioneer Band to participate in Victory Day festivities in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Impressions of the countryside during the train ride itself, as well as the overwhelming beauty of the country and two of her cities, informed much of the music performed here.

            A minimalistic approach to the composition seemed suitable. Persistent rhythmic patterns throughout the score invites listeners to imagine being inside a passenger rail car. An alternation between two- and three-eighth note groupings captures sound of steel wheels rolling along iron rails of varying lengths. The harmonies are simple, played almost entirely on open strings. Everyone involved in a performance can enjoy the exuberance of bright harmonic language. A short, simple melody, played by the upper strings is answered by the soloist - possibly the class instructor - who then is allowed some elaboration for a few measures.

            Students attempting a strings-methods class often find their more advanced musicianship stifled by working only in rudimental instrumental methods. Since so many pitches are played on open strings, student’s left hands are eased through the performance while the right hands move binarily in short, quick strokes. The result is a work that gratifies the student musician while developing an appreciation and understanding of string performance.

SKU: A0.1290437

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.1288895

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.1289769

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.1288889

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.1289766

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.

SKU: A0.1290432

William Byrd was an English composer and organist who lived during the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the era and had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. Byrd is best known for his development of the English madrigal and his ability to elevate the English keyboard style through his compositions for virginal and organ music.

He was a pupil and protégé of the organist and composer Thomas Tallis, and his first authenticated appointment was as organist at Lincoln Cathedral in 1563. Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music.

He was adept at attracting sponsorship, and his most important patrons were Roman Catholic sympathizers. Byrd was responsible for the publication of about 10 volumes of songs by other composers, his role as publisher allowing him to play an even more prominent part in making both literary and musical composition much more broadly available to a public audience.