Facts about Byrd

Facts About

Did you Know? List of Interesting Facts about Byrd
Facts are statements which are held to be true and often contrasted with opinions and beliefs. Our unusual and interesting facts about Byrd, trivia and information, including some useful details of facts about the life events of this famous composer will fascinate everyone from kids and children to adults

Interesting Facts about this famous classical Renaissance Composer are as follows:

  • Fact 1 - Accomplishments and reasons Byrd is famous: Classical Composer and musician - he was one of the leading musicians of the Baroque period during the Renaissance

  • Fact 2 - Date of Birth: Byrd was born between 1539-1540 - There are no records of his exact date of birth
  • Fact 3 - Place of Birth: London
  • Fact 4 - Full Name: William Byrd, often referred to as "a father of music"
  • Fact 5 - Lifespan: 1539-1623
  • Fact 6 - Name of mother and father: His parents names were Thomas and Margery Byrd
  • Fact 7 - Family background: William Byrd was one of seven children
  • Fact 8 - Childhood and education: He had a good general education and sang in the Chapel Royal during the reign of Queen Mary Tudor. William Byrd became a pupil of the great Elizabethan musician and composer Thomas Tallis
  • Fact 9 - William Byrd started his career as organist and choirmaster of Lincoln Cathedral
  • Fact 10 - William Byrd became famous for composing Madrigals and was a member of the English Madrigal School
  • Fact 11 - William Byrd had wealthy and powerful patrons including Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Christopher Hatton and Lord Hunsdon
  • Fact 12 - William Byrd and Thomas Tallis were granted an exclusive license to print and publish music by Queen Elizabeth I making them both wealthy men
  • Fact 13 - In 1568 William Byrd married Juliana and they had seven children
  • Fact 14 - William Byrd had a Catholic background and during his time at court faced charges of Recusancy (resistance to the reformed faith) 
  • Fact 15 - Date of Death: William Byrd died on July 4, 1623 in Stondon Massey, Essex
  • Fact 16 - His types of compositions and works included Liturgies, madrigals and dance music
  • Fact 17 - His music lives on and the musical works of this famous composer and musician include the following collections by Byrd and Thomas Tallis:
    • Cantiones Sacrae
      Psalms, Sonets & Songs
      Songs of Sundrie Natures
      Cantiones Sacrae
      Gradualia

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