Diliges Dominum

Chiltern Recorder Consort Series

William Byrd (c. 1540 – 4 July 1623) was an English Renaissance composer. Considered among the greatest composers of the Renaissance, he had a profound influence on composers both from his native country and on the Continent. He is often considered along with John Dunstaple and Henry Purcell as one of England's most important early music composers.

Byrd wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard (the so-called Virginialist school), and consort music. He produced sacred music for Anglican services, but during the 1570s became a Roman Catholic, and wrote Catholic sacred music later in his life.

Diliges Dominum" (Love the Lord) is a Latin motet. Although it is a sacred work, it holds relevance beyond religious worship, as it explores themes of love, devotion, and compassion towards both God and our fellow human beings. Byrd's lyrical composition, drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, prompts listeners to reflect on the intensity and entirety of one's devotion to God and the profound love we should extend to our neighbors.

Alex Ayre was a British recorder teacher and performer who arranged over 500 pieces, of mainly English Renaissance and Baroque music, for recorder ensembles. 

Score: 6 pages. 8 parts @ 1 page ea.