William Byrd : Six Part Fantasies in G Minor

The authors first examine Byrd's compositional procedures in the six-part fantasias in G minor, discussing such matters as his varied uses of contrapuntal techniques, voice exchange and antiphony, and the structural manipulation of rhythm and metre. The composer's methods are related on one side to modes of musical development, and on the other to the concept of the spatial separation of the performers, here introduced for the first time in a major study as an important criterion in the analysis of early music. Byrd's use of popular tunes and other pre-existent material is also surveyed.An examination of the sources leads to detailed analyses of the two fantasias. Through analysis the authors confront some of the most important puzzles raised by this music, such as the relationship between the two works and the true nature of Byrd's astonishing integration of musical material.Rastell is the author of 'William Byrd : Six Part Fantasies in G Minor' with ISBN 9781859283486 and ISBN 1859283489.