(c.1505–1585, English)
Considered one of England's greatest early composers, Tallis occupies a primary place in anthologies of English church music, and is honored for his original voice in English musicianship.
He served 4 English monarchs: Henry VIII (a Catholic-turned-Prostestant), Edward VI (a Prostestant), Mary I (a Catholic), & Elizabeth I (a Prostestant), “each of whom required music with a different religious emphasis: e.g. from the elaborate, Latin-texted polyphony composed for Mary, to the direct, Protestant settings of English texts favored by her half-sister, Elizabeth I”
“He managed to survive an extremely dangerous age of religious upheaval and persecution, mainly by adapting his musical style to suit the circumstances, and by keeping a low personal profile.”
“He managed to survive an extremely dangerous age of religious upheaval and persecution, mainly by adapting his musical style to suit the circumstances, and by keeping a low personal profile.”
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| His personal profile was so low that no contemporary portrait of his survives: the earliest dates from 150 years after he died, and there is no certainty that it is a likeness. |
Tallis is mostly remembered for composing office hymns and the following motet, for eight five-voice choirs.
Spem in alium / Hope in any other
“It opens with a solo voice, but quickly builds as voices are layered on top of one another until the sound is rich and sonorous. The music can be heard to sweep around the full choir, or work with the sub-choirs singing across to one another. The full choir sings only 4 times; a dramatic rest in all parts precedes the final full-choir section.”
(R) An introduction to the history and theory of Tallis's 40-part masterpiece, followed by a full performance.
Laudate Dominum / Praise the Lord (motet)
Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet
- Part 1
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