The renaissance English composer William Byrd (1543-1623) wrote a set of sixteen variations on the English air John Come Kiss Me Now. It is one of the few variations sets not included in Lady Nevell's Book, and is thought to postdate this collection.

This song is a limiting choice upon which to write a variation set, as it is so short. However, Byrd often chose limited themes for his variation sets and grounds, such as The Bells or Callino Casturame, and these form some of his most remarkable music. John Come Kiss Me Now is no exception. In sixteen gradually faster-moving variations, Byrd writes some brilliant and difficult music. The constant melodic invention and varied yet succinct writing is unmatched in any other Byrd variation set.



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