Tallis: Spem in alium, the 40-part motet and other music

On this CD:

1. O salutaris hostia (also set as "O praise the Lord"), motet (antiphon) for 5 voices
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

2. In jejunio et fletu, motet for 5 voices, P. 198
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

3. Salvator mundi (I) (also set as "Arise O Lord" and "With all our hearts"), motet for 5 voices, P. 216
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

4. In manus tuas, motet for 5 voices, P. 202
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

5. Salvator mundi (II) (also set as "When Jesus went"), motet for 5 voices, P. 219
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

6. Lamentations (of Jeremiah), 1st lesson for 5 voices, P. 102
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

7. O sacrum convivium (also set as "I call and cry to thee" and "O sacred and holy banquet"), motet for 5 voices, P. 210
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

8. O nata lux de lumine, motet (hymn) for 5 voices, P. 209
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

9. Te lucis ante terminum (Procul recedant somnia) (I), motet for 5 voices, P. 214
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

10. Lamentations (of Jeremiah), 2nd lesson for 5 voices, P. 110
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

11. Spem in Alium (also set as "Sing and glorify"), motet for 40 voices, P. 299
Composed by Thomas Tallis
Performed by Timothy Byram-Wigfield

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Thomas Tallis was one of the outstanding English composers of his generation; his long life (c. 1505-1585) saw him working under four different monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth I. Like other church musicians of his day, Tallis had to adapt to whatever liturgy--Catholic/Protestant, Latin/English--was required, as monarchs and their prelates came and went. Latin motets inevitably make up a large part of his output, and this collection of 11 includes some of the more notable ones. Outstanding is the famous 40-part Spem in alium, a veritable cathedral in sound, although the occasion for its composition is not known (perhaps the 40th birthday of either Mary or Elizabeth?). Other pieces--such as the Lamentations of Jeremiah--are less monumental, but just as expressive. One or two moments of sluggishness, and the playing-down of characteristic discords detract marginally from what is generally fine singing from the Winchester Cathedral Choir in this 1989 recording, which profits from the building's acoustic. Overall, however, this disc provides a good introduction to the composer and his world. --George Hall

Tracks:

O Salutaris Hostia
In Ieiunio Et Fletu
Salvator Mundi (I)
In Manus Tuas Domine
Salvator Mundi (II)
The Lamentations Of Jeremiah (I)
O Sacrum Convivium
O Nata Lux De Lumine
Te Lucis Ante Terminum
The Lamentations Of Jeremiah (II)
Spem In Alium

Amazon.com

Thomas Tallis was one of the outstanding English composers of his generation; his long life (c. 1505-1585) saw him working under four different monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth I. Like other church musicians of his day, Tallis had to adapt to whatever liturgy--Catholic/Protestant, Latin/English--was required, as monarchs and their prelates came and went. Latin motets inevitably make up a large part of his output, and this collection of 11 includes some of the more notable ones. Outstanding is the famous 40-part Spem in alium, a veritable cathedral in sound, although the occasion for its composition is not known (perhaps the 40th birthday of either Mary or Elizabeth?). Other pieces--such as the Lamentations of Jeremiah--are less monumental, but just as expressive. One or two moments of sluggishness, and the playing-down of characteristic discords detract marginally from what is generally fine singing from the Winchester Cathedral Choir in this 1989 recording, which profits from the building's acoustic. Overall, however, this disc provides a good introduction to the composer and his world. --George Hall

Customer Reviews:

majestic, spiritual...beautiful.......2001-01-02

i am not familiar with choral work such as this. i heard this at a tower records listening booth and just stood there absolutely amazed at how beautiful the human voice can sound. these songs date back to around 450 years ago, when the church had absolute rule over any artistic expression. assuming these songs were performed in the same manner at that time, you can revel in the thought of sitting in a cathedral listening to men and women singing to praise God above. or you can do as i did, just marveling at the majestic scope of voices as they were meant to be heard in a cathdral setting. the topper here is 'spem in alium', a piece designed for 8 groups of 5-part choirs that washes the listener in sound. it is best, in my opinion, to listen to something like this through a good pair of headphones loud, but not so loud as to distort or disturb, but rather to pick up every single nuance, since i can assume that choral works such as this have subtleties missed when listening casually. a great beginning to my exploration of choral music from this time period.

Music Track:

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