Byrd, Augustine, and Tribue, Domine — November 2004
Kerry McCarthy's article in the November 2004 issue of Early Music (pp. 567-74) unravels the origins of one of Byrd's most ambitious early works. A search of contemporary devotional literature reveals that the text of Tribue, Domine comes from a single source: the medieval collection of Meditationes which circulated widely under the name of Saint Augustine well into the early modern era. This book was popular across confessional lines in 16th-century England. Adaptations from it surfaced with equal familiarity in Catholic florilegia (sometimes alongside other texts set by Byrd) and 'purified' Protestant editions. According to one contemporary account, even Queen Elizabeth, to whom the volume containing Tribue was dedicated, turned to it in her private devotions. This revised account offers some new light on Byrd's well-known creativity in choosing and adapting motet texts. It also revisits the complex, often volatile status of the Latin sacred song in late 16th-century England.
By clicking on the link below you can hear from 'cujus imperium sine fine manet' to the end of the motet, which gives a sense of the architecture and dimensions of this fine work.
Tribue, Domine, performed by The Cardinall's Musik (1999) on Gaudeamus GAU 197 [file size] Copyright ©2004 Sanctuary Classics.
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