Tallis Scholars 25th Anniversary

On this CD:

1. Miserere mei Deus (Psalm 51), motet for chorus
Composed by Gregorio Allegri

2. Ave Maria, gratia plena, motet for 8 voices & organ
Composed by Tomas Luis de Victoria

3. Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas, for 5 voices
Composed by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

4. Praeter rerum seriem, motet for 6 parts
Composed by Josquin Desprez

5. Pater Peccavi for 8 voices
Composed by Clemens non Papa (Jacob Clement)

6. Ego Flos Campi for 7 voices
Composed by Clemens non Papa (Jacob Clement)

7. Tota Pulchra Es for 4 voices
Composed by Heinrich Isaac

8. Descendi in Hortum Meum
Composed by Cipriano de Rore

9. Alma Redemptoris mater (ii), motet for 6 voices, M. xix (S. xiii/108)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus

10. Salve regina mater, motet for 6 voices, M. xiii (S. xiii/125)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus

11. Ave regina coelorum, motet for 5 voices, M. xxii (S. v/104)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus

12. Missa "Et Ecce Terrae Motus" for 12 Voices Gloria
Composed by Antoine Brumel

13. Media Vita for 6 voices
Composed by John Sheppard

14. In manus tuas, motet for 5 voices, P. 202
Composed by Thomas Tallis

15. O nata lux de lumine, motet (hymn) for 5 voices, P. 209
Composed by Thomas Tallis

16. Audivi vocem, motet for 4 voices, P. 90
Composed by Thomas Tallis

17. Exaudiat te Dominus
Composed by Robert White

18. A Robyn, Gentyl Robyn for 3 voices
Composed by William Cornysh

19. Salve Regina for 5 voices
Composed by William Cornysh

20. Mass for 5 Voices (SATTB)
Composed by William Byrd

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This two-discs-for-the-price-of-one compilation gives a fine overview of the Tallis Scholars' impressive recording career. It opens with the group's signature piece, Gregorio Allegri's Miserere (featuring the remarkably strong and pure high Cs of Deborah Roberts), and continues with a cappella works by well-known Renaissance composers such as Josquin, Palestrina, and Victoria, as well as pieces by lesser-known composers--such as Clemens non Papa, Robert White, and William Cornysh--whose reputation the group played an important part in reviving. Phillips has chosen a particularly beautiful group of pieces, all performed with the reliably immaculate tuning and lovely tone that have made this choir world-famous. Longtime collectors of Tallis Scholars discs probably have most of the works included here already, but for those unfamiliar with the group--or with Renaissance sacred music in general--this 25th-anniversary album is an ideal introduction. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

Miserere
Ave Maria For Double Choir - Victoria
Sicut Lilium I - Palestrina
Praeter rerum seriem - Josquin
Pater peccavi - Clemens
Ego flos campi - Clemens
Tota pulchra es
Descendi in hortum meum
Alma Redemptoris Mater - Lassus
Salve Regina - Lassus
Ave Regina caelorum - Lassus
Missa Et ecce terrae motus: Gloria

Tracks:

Media vita
In manus tuas
O nata lux
Audivi vocem
Exaudiat te
Ah, Robin
Salve Regina
Mass For 5 Voices
Mass For 5 Voices
Mass For 5 Voices
Mass For 5 Voices
Mass For 5 Voices

Amazon.com

This two-discs-for-the-price-of-one compilation gives a fine overview of the Tallis Scholars' impressive recording career. It opens with the group's signature piece, Gregorio Allegri's Miserere (featuring the remarkably strong and pure high Cs of Deborah Roberts), and continues with a cappella works by well-known Renaissance composers such as Josquin, Palestrina, and Victoria, as well as pieces by lesser-known composers--such as Clemens non Papa, Robert White, and William Cornysh--whose reputation the group played an important part in reviving. Phillips has chosen a particularly beautiful group of pieces, all performed with the reliably immaculate tuning and lovely tone that have made this choir world-famous. Longtime collectors of Tallis Scholars discs probably have most of the works included here already, but for those unfamiliar with the group--or with Renaissance sacred music in general--this 25th-anniversary album is an ideal introduction. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful collection.......2000-08-05

For me, the Tallis Scholars are probably the finest early music choir in England today. Though the reason for the release of this double CD - their 25th anniversary - has long since passed, it is still worth having in any early music collection, especially if you have never purchased a Tallis Scholars record before.

With so much material to their credit, recorded over many years, Peter Phillips must have had quite a few headaches over which tracks to include. He has opted to present two programmes: disc one opens with the award-winning 1980 recording of the Allegri "Miserere" and goes on to explore Palestrina and masters of Franco-Flemish polyphony, including Josquin and Brunel. Disc two features Renaissance music from England, including works by William Cornysh, John Sheppard, and of course Thomas Tallis. It ends with a stunning rendition of William Byrd's "Mass for Five Voices." Needlessly to say, there are many other gems from the choir's discography that do not appear: "Spem in alium," "Nine Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter," the Sarum "Missa in gallicantu," John Tavener's "Ikon of Light" or any of the Russian motet recordings made in collaboration with him. Nonetheless, the collection is still superb, reflecting the choir's diversity and Peter Phillip's inspired direction.

There are just too many items on this disc to review in their entirety, and in a way it is impossible to single out any particular 'highlight,' although I have to say that items I constantly find myself listening to are the twelve-part Brunel "Gloria" and the Palestrina "Sicut lilium" from disc one, and the Tallis "O Nata Lux," and Cornysh "Ah, Robin! Gentle Robin" from disc two.

Here is some two hours' worth of solid singing, with all the hallmarks one could expect from the Tallis Scholars (represented in their entirety owing to the sampling from several recordings, recent and otherwise). As Phillips muses in the notes, it is staggering to think that what started out as a tiny student-run chamber choir at Oxford University has turned into an award-winning, internationally acclaimed ensemble. Yet, the results are undeniable. There are many specialist early music groups in England - The Sixteen, The Cardinall's Musick, The Monteverdi Choir and many others besides. Fundamentally, however, I believe the Tallis Scholars shine brighter than any of them, and those who doubt it even for an instant should try this wonderful collection. This is music making of the highest standard and I cannot recommend it enough.

Outstanding! Sheer musical poetry.......2000-06-14

Sheer delight! If you're already familiar with the work of the Tallis Scholars, then this 25th anniversary CD will need no recommendation from me at all. If not... then let me just say that this group of singers has not and will not be bettered at this kind of music. Their repertoire is mostly but not exclusively mediaeval, and this CD contains some of their best-known works, in particular their rendition of Allegri's Miserere, in my opinion by far the best version *ever* of this beatiful composition. The pure soprano voices render this piece achingly beautiful. If you don't already have an extensive Tallis Scholars collection, or - like me - want to start replacing your old vinyl collection with CDs, this is an excellent place to start.

Outstanding selection of Tallis Scholars repertoire examples.......2000-02-25

This CD is the definitive Tallis Scholars sampler if one is interested in hearing a varied cross-section of their superb repertoire. The major difference between this collection and the Best of the Renaissance CD is the fact that this CD includes works from no less than 14 composers, and still includes a whole Mass (Byrd's Mass for Five Voices)!

Starting with the opening piece of CD 1, Allegri's Miserere, the other pieces will open to the listener the world of continental Renaissance polyphony - Josquin's Praeter rerum seriem is marvelous, Clemens non Papa weighs in with 2 wondrous pieces, and Brumel's Gloria might rearrange some brain cells if not digested with care - 12 voices!

The second CD is even better (but I am partial to the English school), and Sheppard's Media vita is a masterpiece - it alone makes this collection worth the money! Hearing a fairly rare work from Robert White is also of interest, and the short love song Ah, Robin by Cornysh the Younger is very moving indeed!

If you're unfamiliar with the Tallis Scholars Renaissance music, please listen to this CD. If you're already hooked, please listen to this CD again - the arrangement of the pieces make it a pleasure, even if you know most of these works!

A beautiful collection of their classics - a wonderful buy........1998-11-30

This collection of Renaissance sacred choral music is just wonderful. The fine voices are enhanced by the acoustics in the Merton College Chapel, Oxford. The 2 CD set plays over 2 1/2 hours of Latin polyphony, from the Allegri "Miserere" to beautiful selections by Clemens, Lassus, Tallis, Byrd and others. It is a rare kind of music, both inspiring and calming. The 15 year old and the 50 year old in the family each own a copy.

Silver (25th Anniversary): The Best of the Tallis Scholars

Average customer rating:

Silver (25th Anniversary): The Best of the Tallis Scholars

Manufacturer: Gimell
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LGSTHE

Music Review:

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