Domine,  secundum multitudinem

Domine, secundum multitudinem, a single verse setting of Psalm 93 for five voices (SATTB), comes from Byrd’s second collection entitled Cantiones Sacrae of 1589. These were meant to be ‘sacred songs’ mostly designed for the private devotion or a chamber music of the Catholic circles Byrd moved in, and therefore unrestricted by liturgical considerations. The direct simplicity of this setting contemplates sorrow and contemplation in long sustained counterpoint. Byrd then animates the rhythm and shortens the phrase lengths on the word “laetificaverunt” (refresh), leading to a joyful conclusion.

‍