It's a consort piece for viols, usually performed by five viols:
* Treble
* Tenor
* Bass
* Alto
* Contrabass
While "The Bells" is a lively and energetic piece, it's not a courante. A courante is a specific dance form with its own rhythm and characteristics. "The Bells" is a fantasia, a type of instrumental music that allows for improvisation and free expression within a defined structure.
Here's a breakdown of the difference:
* Courante: A fast, triple-time dance, typically with a strong rhythmic pattern.
* Fantasia: A free-form instrumental piece, often based on improvisation and exploring different themes and moods.
So, while "The Bells" is a lively and popular piece by William Byrd, it's not a courante. It's a fantasia for viols that has been enjoyed and performed for centuries.