Work
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In nomine a5 No.4Genre: Dance or Instrumental
Pr. Instrument: Viol Consort
Two four-part and five three-part In Nomines are attributed to the English composer William Byrd (1543-1623). This form was a polyphonic work written for unspecified instrumental ensemble and was often a written by a younger composer to demonstrate technical mastery. This appears to be the case with Byrd's contributions, which appear to be quite early works.
Compared with the earlier catalogued works, Byrd's fourth five-part In Nomine is more mature, more elaborate, and wider in scope. As in the third five-part In Nomine, Byrd quotes from the Italian Ferrabosco, but from his more proficient 5/1 In Nomine. While the Italian's work is technically proficient, it seems somewhat lacking in inspiration. Byrd writes "with greater consistancy than Ferrabosco, but also with more variety and a finer sense of climax."
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