Mayfair Organ Concerts
St George’s, Hanover Square
Tuesday 1 August 2023, 1.10pm

‘Byrd’s World‘
Andrew Benson-Wilson

This is the second of two commemoration organ recitals for the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd (1540-1623). This one is in St George’s Hanover Square on Tuesday 1 August at 1.10pm. With the title of Byrd’s World, it will contrast one of Byrd’s most imaginative and adventurous pieces with music by some of his contemporaries. These will include Antonio de Cabezón, court organist to the Hapsburg Philip of Spain, who the young Byrd may have heard playing during the 1554 wedding of Philip with Queen Mary, Byrd’s teacher, Tallis, and composers from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

Antonio de Cabezón (1510–1566) Tiento del Primer Tono

Thomas Tallis (c1505-85) Ecce tempus idoneum

William Byrd (1540–1623)
Praeludium to the Fancie & Fantasia

Giovanni Gabrieli (1557–1612) Toccata a 4)

Heironymus Praetorius (1560-1629) Magnificat Septimi Toni

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562–1621) Fantasia

Jehan Titelouze (1562–1633) Conditor alme siderum

The first concert was on 9 July in The Chapel of Christ of Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift in Dulwich, played on restored the 1750 George England organ. Details and a link to the programme notes here.

Admission is free, with a retiring collection. Organ details are here.
The programme notes can be accessed here..