The
Laetania (Litany) in honour of all the saints is beautiful yet entirely functional music, a world away from the high art form of the other
Gradualia pieces. Yet at the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Byrd cannot resist writing music with a more impassioned nature. Not surprising from a man for whom texts, their context and subtext, were clearly everything.
from notes by Andrew Carwood © 2009
