Thomas Tallis
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Thomas Tallis (c 1505 – 23 November 1585) was an English composer. Tallis flourished as a church musician during the often stormy sixteenth century in England. He occupies a primary place in anthologies of English church music, and is considered among the best of its earliest composers.
Little is known about his early life, but there seems to be agreement that he was born around 1505, in the latter part of the reign of Henry VII. His first known appointment to a musical position was as organist of Dover Priory, a Benedictine priory at Dover (now Dover College) in 1532. His career took him to London, then organist of Waltham Abbey, until the abbey was dissolved in 1540, then Canterbury Cathedral, and finally to court as Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1543, composing and performing for Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth. He remained in the service of the Sovereign for the rest of his life as organist and composer, avoiding the religious controversies that raged around him.
The earliest works by Tallis that survive are devotional antiphons to the Virgin Mary, which were used outside the liturgy and were cultivated in England until the fall of Cardinal Wolsey. Henry VIII’s break with Roman Catholicism in 1534 and the rise of Thomas Cranmer noticeably influenced the style of music written. Texts became largely confined to the liturgy. The writing of Tallis and his contemporaries became less florid, with marked tendency toward a syllabic and chordal style and a diminished use of melisma.
Little is known about his early life, but there seems to be agreement that he was born around 1505, in the latter part of the reign of Henry VII. His first known appointment to a musical position was as organist of Dover Priory, a Benedictine priory at Dover (now Dover College) in 1532. His career took him to London, then organist of Waltham Abbey, until the abbey was dissolved in 1540, then Canterbury Cathedral, and finally to court as Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1543, composing and performing for Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth. He remained in the service of the Sovereign for the rest of his life as organist and composer, avoiding the religious controversies that raged around him.
The earliest works by Tallis that survive are devotional antiphons to the Virgin Mary, which were used outside the liturgy and were cultivated in England until the fall of Cardinal Wolsey. Henry VIII’s break with Roman Catholicism in 1534 and the rise of Thomas Cranmer noticeably influenced the style of music written. Texts became largely confined to the liturgy. The writing of Tallis and his contemporaries became less florid, with marked tendency toward a syllabic and chordal style and a diminished use of melisma.
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TALLIS: Mass for Four Voices / Motets
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Spem In Alium 40-part Motet
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swoephowx wrote:
Beautiful music.
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progtrance7 wrote:
wow he's a lefty
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rm508 wrote:
O my.
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LaxATivvz wrote:
Now and again.
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LaxATivvz wrote:
Who played his music rather badly
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LaxATivvz wrote:
Save an organist called Ken
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LaxATivvz wrote:
Thomas Tallis bore no man any malice
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nathixx wrote:
totally freaking
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l4tency wrote:
If ye love me and ye know it, clap thy hands
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ChriSThaaRippeR wrote:
Divine! Magnificent!! [2]
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bluebellinbloom wrote:
Divine! Magnificent!!
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McMurray100 wrote:
actually looks like jesus
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ggi27ty3555 wrote:
Божественно.
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hhongkongevvil wrote:
sublime.
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Murt_y wrote:
Spem in Alium, brilliant.
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rosmaritbrum wrote:
Very nice...
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majo334 wrote:
can somebody recommend me something similiar to Tallis' work Spem in Alium?
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Wyrdbeard wrote:
"Legal or not, I intend to end my life on the lawn of my house, with a glass of brandy in my hand and Thomas Tallis on my iPod (because although I am an atheist, Thomas Tallis will move anybody a little bit closer to heaven)." - Terry Pratchett (The Oldie magazine)
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FuhrerML wrote:
Ooo! Rock me, Thomas Tallis!
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SpitsMusic wrote:
Hello i thought you may like to know that the Tallis Scholars are performing in Christ Church East London on 16 June 2009 as part of the Spitalfields Music Festival. Here is a link to our events page:http://www.last.fm/event/1017104 and this is our website:http://www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk/
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