*  Josquin’s Missa Pange lingua, thought by many then and now to be his greatest, was his

    final masterpiece.  It is based on the plainsong melody for the great hymn for Corpus

    Christi by St. Thomas Aquinas, Pange lingua gloriosi. 

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*  Byrd's Gradualia Propers for Corpus Christi were probably first performed at a private  

    Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi celebrated on the country estate of one of Byrd’s

    noble Catholic patrons, at a time when public celebration of the Mass was forbidden. 

    Byrd risked his life to compose this music in honor of his faith.