The renaissance English composer William Byrd (1543-1623) wrote a set of two variations on the tripla melody known either as Wolsey's Wilde or Wilson's Wild. It is one of his only variation sets that is not included in his 1591 Lady Nevell's Book, and is his shortest variation set.

This is a charming little work, but does not use a great deal of Byrd's considerable compositional ability. The writing is stylish, but simple. Two variations are not long enough to begin to develop many ideas, and the work is not generally considered significant.



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