The Barley Breake is a descriptive work for keyboard by the renaissance English composer, William Byrd (1543-1623). Barley-Break was a country game similar to a partnered version of the modern Red Rover.

The work consists of thirteen short dance movements. It commences with pairs of galliards, jigs, and almans as the players arrive at the field. The start of the game proper in several rounds follows this. The work concludes with a slow dance, as the players depart.

This is a work of great vitality and variety. It is, to modern audiences, one of the most accessible works of the English renaissance.

© David Cashman, Rovi