English Catholic Composers in Exile with David Allinson on 21st January 2023

“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange Land?”

This should be a marvellous day of music which ranges from bombast to pathos, from protest to serenity. Seasoned tutor David Allinson will set the music in context and shepherd us through.

William Byrd was not alone among church musicians in holding to the Catholic faith in Elizabethan and Jacobean England, at a time when it was increasingly perilous to do so. But several of his most talented contemporaries chose to leave England and work in exile. Peter Philips settled in Flanders, becoming a priest; Richard Dering worked in Brussels at a convent of English nuns. Perhaps liberated from native tradition, their music doesn’t feel particularly English; they absorbed the latest Italian style.

Byrd stayed in England and his talent shone openly, even as he endured an internal exile of faith. The Latin-texted music of his mid-career seems to articulate the anxiety and anger of recusant Catholics, whereas his last works serve the community’s need for liturgical music that may be used in secret domestic contexts. And always with Byrd, there is a scintillating level of inspiration, mixing native tradition with the latest continental innovations.

Our programme focuses principally on Byrd’s music – 2023 is, after all, the year in which we celebrate the 400th anniversary of his death – but we set him in wider context as a Catholic composer by sampling a Marian motet by Peter Philips (Ave Regina caelorum) and an Italianate motet by Richard Dering (Factum est silentium). As we will be singing in the beautiful Collegiate Church of Saint Mary, Stafford, much of the programme is Marian, with Byrd’s Salve Regina, Ave Maria and other pieces.

The planned repertoire needs lots of Tenors in particular (and some can-do singer flexibility about awkward ranges!), so please sign up in good time.

Venue   St Mary’s Collegiate Church, St Mary’s Place, Stafford, ST16 2AP

St Mary’s is situated just off the main street (Greengate Street) accessible on foot by the side of Boots Chemist or the Ancient High House. Road access (drop-off only) off Earl Street. From Stafford Station (five minutes walk): turn left then immediately right over the river bridge, straight on through pedestrian area between Stafford College and law courts into St Mary’s Place. Regular direct trains from Birmingham New St.

Please note that the church does not have its own car park. We have arranged for a limited number of parking spaces in the church close, for those with limited mobility. Please telephone or message Tim Boardman if you would like to make use of one of these spaces, and please try to car-share where possible. Tim’s mobile: 07794 837396.

Details of town car parks can be found here . The website includes a link to a map. Note that some car parks are pay-by-phone only.

Neither MEMF nor the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged.

Tutor   David is a specialist in early music choral works who has led workshops for every regional EMF in England, as well as EMF Scotland. He is a regular and popular tutor for MEMF workshops.

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