William Byrd's Great Service

In May 2010 Musica Contexta fulfilled a long-held ambition of the group, to record William Byrd’s Great Service. Although Byrd’s Anglican masterpiece has been recorded before, it has never been recorded in Elizabethan pronunciation, and with the instruments – cornets, sackbuts and organ – known to have been used in the Chapel Royal at the time. Musica Contexta has already performed the Great Service this way, at a memorable concert in Ely Cathedral.

For this recording we joined forces with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble in what promises to be a spectacular ‘first’.

But, as the word ‘Great’ implies, the recording involves Musica Contexta (a non-profit organization) in significant expense. Perhaps you would like to support us in this venture?

For a minimum donation of just £50, you will receive two complementary copies of the Byrd Great Service cd on its release (early 2012), and have your name listed on the cd booklet as a Private Patron of Musica Contexta. We would be enormously grateful for this support.

Become a Private Patron

To take advantage of this excellent opportunity, please send your £50 cheque (payable to Musica Contexta) or postal order to:

Musica Contexta

16 Oakburn Road

Ilkley

West Yorkshire

LS29 9NN

Please write clearly the name you require listed on the cd booklet, and your address, so that we can send out your copies of the Byrd Great Service cd on its release.