Hyperion Records

Make ye joy to God (Psalm 100: 1–3) comes from Byrd’s 1611 collection of Psalmes, Songs and Sonnets and uses a translation printed in The Primer, or Office of the blessed Virgin Marie from 1599. There is an intimacy and intricacy to this music and a clear understanding of how to translate the sort of word-painting found in madrigals into spiritual music: a riot of triplets suggesting carefree laughter at the words ‘Serve ye our Lord in gladness’ and running quavers at the word ‘jollity’.

from notes by Andrew Carwood © 2012