Gradualia II – Christmas to Easter

It has been argued that the first book of Gradualia fulfilled Byrd’s obligation to that part of the liturgy most crucial to the cause of recusants – and to the Jesuits with whom he was involved. With the second book, he presented music for the major festivals of the Christian life. More systematially planned than its predecessor, this collection presents the feasts in the order of the church year, beginning in December with Christmas.