Tallis: Spem in Alium [HYBRID SACD] [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]

Track Listings

1. Spem in alium: Thomas Tallis

2. O all true faithful hearts: Orlando Gibbons

3. Deus venerunt gentes: William Byrd

4. Know you not: Thomas Tomkins

5. Great King of Gods: Orlando Gibbons

6. O God, the heathen are come: Thomas Tomkins

7. Te Deum: Thomas Tallis

8. Be strong: Thomas Tomkins

9. Sing and glorify: Thomas Tallis:

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
►Note: This Super Audio-Hybrid CD will play on all conventional CD Players.

The Sixteen’s anthology of a century of royal repertoire composed ‘for monarchs and magnates’ is the real thing: a masterpiece of detective work, rare repertoire and artful editing, and a fitting celebration of its first quarter-century devoted to early music. Pride of place goes to a pair of recordings of Tallis’s Spem in alium, in Latin and in English (as Sing and Glorify), the rich mingling of its eight five-voice choirs revealingly captured in the spacious clarity of surround sound, a process that could have been invented for this purpose.

Harry Christophers’s booklet note explores the possible origins and challenging symbolism of this work, a theme even more potently expressed in Byrd’s motet ‘Deus venerunt gentes’. Another religious exclamation (but this time protesting against Puritan excesses in the Civil War), Tomkins’s grandly tortured outpouring ‘O God, the heathen are come’, is recorded for the first time in John Milsom’s reconstruction.

Sackbuts and cornets add splendor to ceremonial items by Tallis and Gibbons, and in the hands of these skilled players also add their note of sublime grief to another Tomkins score: ‘Know you not’, a lament for Henry, Prince of Wales, that forms the emotional heart of this collection. – BBC Music Magazine.

Tracks:

Spem In Alium
Sancte Deus
Salvator Mundi, Salva Nos I
Salvator Mundi, Salva Nos II
Gaude Gloriosa
Miserere Nostri
Loquebantur Variis Linguis
If Ye Love Me
Hear The Voice And Prayer
A New Commandment
O Lord, Give Thy Holy Spirit
Purge Me, O Lord
Verily, Verily I Say Unto You
Remember Not, O Lord God
Tunes For Archbishop Parker's Psalter
O Lord, In Thee Is All My Trust
Christ Rising Again
Blessed Are Those That Be Undefiled

Tracks:

Lamentations Of Jeremiah I
Lamentations Of Jeremiah II
Absterge Domine
O Sacrum Convivium
In Manus Tuas
Salve Intemerata
Magnificat For 4 Voices
Ave, Dei Patris Filia

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable English Style.......2007-07-13

If you favor blend, balance, pitch, and all the other parameters of the English traditional choral style, you'll be very impressed with the Tallis Scholars' refined presentation. the music speaks for itself.

The Tallis Scholars do their namesake proud.......2006-07-27

In the last couple of years, the Tallis Scholars have been compiling their sizeable recording output into attractive two-disc editions. Here, they've collected a large number of their interpretations of their namesake, Thomas Tallis. Tallis (c. 1505-1585) is, of course, one of the giants of Renaissance music, and he was certainly the greatest English composer of liturgical music between John Dunstable and William Byrd. I personally consider him the second-greatest Renaissance composer after Palestrina, but I'm not dogmatic about it. I love the music of Josquin, Victoria, and Byrd almost as much. Let's just say that, if you're interested in immersing yourself in the work of a single Renaissance composer, you can't do much better than Tallis.

These recordings were made 1985-1998, and they all sound great. Included in this collection are most of Tallis best and best-known works: the two Lamentations of Jeremiah, O Sacrum Convivium, Gaude Gloriosa, Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter (which contains the theme that inspired Ralph Vaughan Williams' famous Fantasia), and the incredible 40-part motet Spem In Alium (which is one of the supreme masterpieces of the 16th century). Unfortunately, there are some notable absences, such as the Tallis Scholars' own recording of O Nata Lux. The Mass for 4 Voices, certainly one of Tallis' major works, is also nowhere to be found. Of course, there's only so much music that will fit onto two CDs, but it's still a shame that they couldn't fit at least one of Tallis' masses. Nevertheless, the music that's here is beautiful and powerful.

The Tallis Scholars themselves need no introduction. They're one of the most famous groups specializing in Renaissance music. It needs to be said, however, that if you're looking for "authentic" recordings (that is, recordings that approximate what the music originally sounded like in the 16th century), you might want to look elsewhere. The Tallis Scholars use female singers instead of boys or (ahem!) castrati (though it's doubtful that Tallis would have used or written for castrati himself). And one could complain that these recordings use too many singers for some of the smaller pieces or that the sopranos overpower some of the larger ones (like Spem In Alium). I'm neither an enthusiast nor an opponent of the authentic-performance movement; since we're listening to recorded music anyway, these issues strike me as moot. The Tallis Scholars are experienced and accomplished singers, and they achieve their primary goal: to provide superlative-sounding recordings of important early choral compositions. If you're looking for a fine compilation of Tallis' music or an excellent introduction to Renaissance music, this is it.

Great Choral Classics from King's Choir of King's College, Cambridge

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Great Choral Classics from King's Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000007OTQ
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

Miserere
Stabat Mater
Spem In alium
Sancte Deus
Ave verum corpus
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Et in terra pax
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Laudamus te
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Gratias agimus tibi
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Propter magnam gloriam
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Domine Deus
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Domine Fili unigenite
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Domine Deus, Agnus Dei
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Qui tollis peccata mundi
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Qui sedes
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Quoniam tu solus Sanctus
Gloria in D Major, RV 589: Cum Sancto Spiritu

Tracks:

This Is The Record Of John
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorale: Jesu, Priceless Treasure
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorus: So There Is Now No Condemnation
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorale: In Thine Arm I Rest Me
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Trio: Thus Then, The Law Of The Spirit Of Life In Christ Abiding
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorus: Death, I Do Not Fear Thee
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorus: Ye Are Not Of The Flesh
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorale: Hence With Earthly Treasure
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Trio: If Therefore Christ Abide In You
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorale: Fare Thee Weel That Errest
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorus: If By His Spirit
Motet: Jesu, Priceless Treasure, BWV 227: Chorale: Hence All Fears And Sadness
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The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: My Heart Is Inditing
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Kings' Daughters
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Upon They Right Hand
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Kings Shall Be Thy Nursing Fathers
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Let Justice And Judgement
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The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: The King Shall Rejoice
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Exceeding Glad Shall He Be
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Glory And Great Worship... Thou Hast Prevented Him
The Anthems For The Coronation Of King George II And Queen Caroline, HWV 258-261: Alleluia

Average customer rating:

Superlative Performance of Spem in Alium
totally unbalanced
Musical splendour...
Amazing
Let all that expensive Hi-fi equipment of yours truly sing.

Tallis: Spem in Alium

Manufacturer: Gimell UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005ATCU
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Amazon.com

This was the Tallis Scholars' first recording devoted to their namesake composer--and it remains one of the best Tallis discs available. Its centerpiece is the famous Spem in alium for eight five-voice choirs. This is a spectacular piece, with voices entering one by one, leading to a sudden, crashing entry for all eight choirs. The choirs then toss pealing phrases back and forth (listen with headphones!) and finish with a monumental 40-voice chord.

Other treats include the popular Pentecost motet Loquebantur variis linguis, two beautiful settings of the prayer Salvator mundi, and the 20-minute votive antiphon Gaude gloriosa, which has intricate imitative passages for three to four soloists alternating with vigorous writing for full choir. --Matthew Westphal

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Customer Reviews:

Superlative Performance of Spem in Alium.......2006-02-15

I had generally avoided this musical period, and had been ignorant of Thomas Tallis until hearing the version of Spem in Alium on the Kronos Quartet's disc Black Angels. Curiosity compelled me to seek out this performance, incomparably superior to the other:

A lone soprano voice seems to float, weightless, on a sea composed of the other singers' voices. Although we have no way of knowing how the composer intended the piece to sound (the liner notes reveal that even Tallis' reason for composing Spem in Alium is unknown), its success may be judged on the merits of the present performance. From that standpoint, it is a perfect blend of explosive power and unspeakable beauty, in its pure expression perhaps unequaled by anything that followed. Hearing it is a soul-expanding experience, as it must have been for its listeners half a millennium ago.

totally unbalanced.......2005-01-18

The sopranos aggressively dominate the sound (-2 stars) and the Spem is awashed in vowels (-1 star). Did you know there are 24 tenor and bass parts vs 8 soprano parts? You certainly can't tell from this recording. This can only be recommended to those with no interest in hearing anything aside from the soprano melody with maybe some backup support from the alto and background noise from the male voices. Also the Spem is recorded with the singers in a straight line ... a less than ideal position.

A previous reviewer mentioned the Obrecht Missa Maria Zart recording ... again an amazingly beautiful piece, the sound of the recording is rich and resonant but then the sopranos start singing and ruin the mood.

Musical splendour..........2004-06-05

--Spem in alium--
This piece, Spem in alium numquam habui (I have no faith in any other [than God]), is Tallis' most famous piece. It is a 40-part motet, set up for eight five-part choirs. It is a masterpiece. Tallis blended the chordal with the polyphonic here, to great effect. The number of voices makes for interesting effects, particularly when done in cathedral settings. Several stories have appeared about why this work was composed, but in the end, it remains unknown.

--Other music--
Other pieces included on this disc include Tallis' Sancte Deus, one of his early works, done during the reign of Henry VIII, and two settings of Salvator mundi, salva nos. These are rather smaller pieces, particularly in comparison with Spem in alium. Gaude gloriosa is more in keeping with Spem in alium, in terms of length and phrasing. The Miserere is a seven-part technical masterpiece very close in form to traditional English canonical settings. The final piece, Loquebantur variis linguis, is a seven-voice chant.

--Liner Notes--
Being internationally acclaimed, the Tallis Scholars' CDs typically present their commentary and texts in English, French, German and Italian (together with any Latin texts); that is true of this disc. The cover art also typically represents visual arts contemporary with the compositions - here it is a piece from the Munich collection of Alte Pinakothek by Albrecht Durer in 1500, roughly contemporary with Tallis.

--The Tallis Scholars--
The Tallis Scholars, a favourite group of mine since the first time I heard them decades ago, are a group dedicated to the performance and preservation of the best of this type of music. A choral group of exceptional ability, I have been privileged to see them many times in public, and at almost every performance, their singing seems almost like a spiritual epiphany for me, one that defies explanation in words. Directed by Peter Phillips, the group consists of a small number of male and female singers who have trained themselves well to their task.

Their recordings are of a consistent quality that deserve more than five stars; this particular disc of pieces by Thomas Tallis, the namesake of the group, deserves a place on the shelf of anyone who loves choral music, liturgical music or Gregorian chant, classical music generally, or religious music. It is remarkable, both in composition and performance. The original recording was made in 1985.

Amazing.......2004-03-19

Spem in Alium is just amazing!
I'm a big fan of choral music but had not really got my head around exactly how complex it could get.
Until I heard this one.

Let all that expensive Hi-fi equipment of yours truly sing........2002-11-14

I am a heavy metal "music" fan,with at times,a bit of rock,pop and soul entering the cd player/put on the venerable lp machine.My forays into classical are about as frequent as the proverbial rocking horse poo.However,this disc is the one I probably play most often.Why?Because it's beauty is unsurpassed.It is the only piece of music that has brought a tear to my eye.As someone above wrote,crank it up when the kids/breadknife/hubby are out of the house and you will be treated to sonic joy.

Average customer rating:

Kronos Quartet Black Angels
An excellent idea...not the best performances though
Ups and downs
Not for everybody
scary stuff

Black Angels
George Crumb , Thomas Tallis , Istvan Marta , Charles Ives , Dmitry Shostakovich , Hank Dutt , David Harrington , Joan Jeanrenaud , John Sherba , and Kronos Quartet
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005J0D
Release Date: 1990-06-21

Tracks:

Black Angels: I. Departure
Black Angels: II. Absence
Black Angels: III. Return
Spem In Alium (Sing And Glorify)
Doom. A Sigh
They Are There!
Quartet No. 8: I. Largo
Quartet No. 8: II. Allegro Molto
Quartet No. 8: III. Allegretto
Quartet No. 8: IV. Largo
Quartet No. 8: V. Largo

Amazon.com essential recording

The title to Kronos's most bleak album comes from a nearly 20- minute-long composition by American composer George Crumb that unfolds over 13 distinct parts. That ominous number only hints at the horror Crumb intended as an ode to the Vietnam War. War informs the whole CD: Shostakovich's Quartet No. 8, composed near the height of the Cold War, in 1960, was dedicated "to the victims of fascism and war." "Doom. A Sigh," by Istvan Marta, incorporates field recordings of two Romanian women singing personal laments of fallen friends and relatives; their grief is so intense as to render listening incredibly difficult. The original text to 16th-century composer Thomas Tallis's "Spem in Alium" (originally a 40-voice motet) recalled a biblical battle. And late American composer Charles Ives is heard singing (yes, singing) "They Are There!"--a ditty he wrote during the Great War and revisited for World War II; he's joined here by the Kronos, half a century after his death, in an act of studio magic that is ingenious if not musically stimulating. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews:

Kronos Quartet Black Angels.......2007-05-17

This is music to think by as it engages the intellect.

Black Angels has a menace which invites ideas and images into your mind.It will make you a little uncomfortable, but it will remain within you.

Doom.A Sigh has a remarkarble story behind it and invokes an emotional response because the recorded voices carry echoes of something lost. It works a strange magic,drawing you in and giving a glimpse of a forgotten world that perhaps still exists within all of us, somewhere.

The Shostakovich quartet ends this CD as Black Angels began it,completing a cycle, and you will be brought back to the point at which you started your journey but with a sense of something profound having occurred.

This is a CD that will become part of who you are and the only question you need ask yourself is, are you brave enough to listen?

An excellent idea...not the best performances though.......2007-04-04

Kronos' selections are excellent, if a bit eccentric, although I am less excited by the Tallis and Ives...arrangements. How well the main pieces are done is another matter, one being decent, the other somewhat lacking.

Black Angels is a very exciting piece, as well as dark and disturbing. However I've played it, so it doesn't disturb me as much. Kronos is a bit fast sometimes, which can be a slight problem since the numerology is highly significant in this work. Pulling this piece off is not easy, as I can attest to. They do pretty well with it, but there is some "cheating" going on, as the DVD version reveals.

One of the most interesting effects in the piece is the "consort of viols" sections, images 6 and 8, which are trios in which each player plays behind his/her left hand--basically turning the whole technique of bowing and fingering upside down. This is difficult to do, however it is not actually very hard if you practice it for a few minutes. I find it strange that Kronos actually does away with this amazing effect and plays it with normal technique using heavy practice mutes--no big deal for most listeners, but it does alter the sound. So, Kronos doesn't stick to the score completely.

Anyway, the Shostakovich is the performance that is lacking. I like the Fitzwilliam cycle best, and their 8th is excellent, so you might get that one. If you don't mind the odd noises and variable sound the Borodin cycle is good too, but it is harder and harder to find, which is very sad indeed.

Ups and downs.......2007-01-29

I'm amazed that not one of the preceding reviewers mentioned the Brodsky recording of the Crumb, and only two of them seemed to know about the Concord, who were, I believe, the first to record it. The Brodsky is sharp, clean, accurate. The Kronos is none of these. Their performance is fast and sloppy. If you want to hear all the details you have to listen to the Concord or the Brodsky. (I've not heard the Cikada or the new Mode disc with members of the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic.) The Brodsky is a more exciting performance and a better recording than the Concord, plus they couple the Crumb with the Schubert 14th, which makes that famous cameo in "Dark Angels."

That does not mean you shouldn't have this disc. I've heard many recordings of Shostakovich's music, the reverent "we're playing music by the great Soviet composer," the long-faced "we're playing music by a tortured soul," and the vastly superior "we're playing music." I'd put this Kronos performance in the latter category. Ironically, I like it because it's faster than most (and a little bit sloppy). Not so sloppy that details are blurred, though, and fast here means the piece is never allowed to get lugubrious, which too many performances of his music definitely are. (So many people seem unable to listen to music without thinking about nonmusical things, like politics or the composer's putative feelings, and so many performers of Shostakovich seem happy to accomodate them.)

I don't know of any other performance of the eighth that makes the quotations so clear, either. Shostakovich threw in references to several of his own pieces in this quartet, the first and fifth symphonies, the first cello concerto, and most deliciously, the second trio. Kronos plays the quotes from the trio better than anyone else I've heard.

Not for everybody.......2005-05-27

This is probably one of the least accessible Kronos albums I own, largely because of the Crumb piece. Personally, I consider it taxing but nonetheless worthwhile, but even devoted followers of the Kronos Quartet are likely to be turned off by the strident nature of the piece.

The only other piece worth noting is the Marta composition, which has a strange otherworldly quality to it. All I can say about the Tallis "Spem In Alium" is that you would be much better served by listening to the original vocal arrangement. Kronos' version is simply rather boring by comparison. Likewise, Kronos' interpretation of the well-known Shostakovich 8th quartet reveals that while they are at the forefront of modern music (commissioning new works regularly), when it comes the standard repertoire oftentimes they simply do not measure up. There are more recordings than I can count of the Shostakovich 8th that are far superior --- take your pick.

This is an album with as many misses as hits, and the hits are not exactly the most accessible music Kronos has recorded. Echoing another reviewer, it might be worth listening to this before purchasing it.

scary stuff.......2005-03-03

I listened to this piece, Black Angels, and it definitely gave me the creeps. My wife begged me to take it off; I didn't, due to my morbid fascination. In retrospect, what was even creepier was the fact that I just spontaneously played it for the 1st and only time on the night of Sept. 10, 2001 . Coincidence? It's as if something inside of me had a premonition of the true horror of the following morning. Is this possible?

Thomas Tallis: Spem in Alium [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Wonderful achievement.
playability
Confused
SINGLES BAR

Thomas Tallis: Spem in Alium [Hybrid SACD]
The King's Singers , and Thomas Tallis
Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

Wonderful achievement........2007-03-05

The King's Singers have taken on the challenge of singing "Spem In Alium", the famous 40 part motet by Thomas Tallis, by means of multitrack recording technology and accomplished a suprisingly successful recording. Coordinating 40 different voice parts, most of which come and go in a myriad of different ways, must have been quite a daunting task without having the benefit of a conductor or the other 34 singers. The result is a very special recording of this music, featuring extraordinary sound quality, unmatched clarity of all 40 parts, surround-sound, and a mistake-free performance with the most expert possible choral singers on each part. The King's Singers individually even went so far as to use a slightly different vocal quality for each different track they recorded to add to the illusion that there are 40 different people singing, avoiding monotony and giving individual character to each voice part.

The music itself of course is a phenomenon all its own. Its soaring beauty and craftmanship is staggering, containing every possible choral contrapuntal texture from completely individual free counterpoint to block chords echoing antiphonally. While not intended to be the definitive recording of the piece and some purists obviously won't like the concept, it definitely offers something new. The admittedly annoying concept of a CD single notwithstanding, it is very worth buying and even includes a track with commentary from the King's Singers.

playability.......2007-01-22

The actual recording is first class,but it will only play via my DVD and does not work with the CD player.

Confused.......2006-07-01

Is it my imagination or did the review below not actually say what the technical flaw is. As a recording engineer, I'm curious.

SINGLES BAR.......2006-06-11

The music here is a glorious ancient masterpiece, the singing is superlative, the sense of style shown is exemplary, the recording is very good except for a minor blemish, and even the liner-note is excellent.

Nevertheless you may attribute the award of as many stars as three in this instance at least as much to my own habitual benevolence as to what this production really deserves. It goes by the title of a `cd single'. It is the first of its kind to come my way, and I very much hope it will be the last as well. A cd single is something like a stretch-limo being driven around with only one passenger - it's a waste of space and resources. A cd has the capacity for 80 minutes of music, and if someone decides to issue a cd containing only 8 I expect to see this matter reflected proportionately in the pricing. I don't dispute in the least that this recording is very special in some ways, but so are any number of others that come to mind, and the proper course should still have been to fill up the available capacity with other performances, very likely reissues.

Tallis's great motet Spem in Alium was written for 40 solo voices, and there are altogether 6 members of the King's Singers. `6 into 40 doesn't go very well' one of them informs us in the short recorded commentary that accompanies the motet. 6 into 40 goes perfectly well 6 and 2/3 times, what doesn't go is 40 into 6. What the King's Singers have elected to do is utilise modern recording technology so as to take all 40 parts among the 6 of them. I don't question for a moment that this cannot have been straightforward in the least, but it's not exactly new either. More years ago than I care to count there was a record of Bach's concerto for 2 violins with Heifetz playing both solo parts, not so far as I know simultaneously. More recently the Emerson Quartet have given us a performance of Mendelssohn's Octet played by the 4 of them, however they and their producers did not issue this as any cd single but gave us all Mendelssohn's quartets into the bargain. For the most part the challenge has been met very successfully here, the only problem being an odd semi-metallic repeated sound that runs through the entirety of the piece.

The short verbal contribution that the singers give doesn't really say very much that their liner-note hadn't already said, nor indeed say it as well, but it does mention that they had to bring the written pitch down by a tone. This does not worry me in the least, pitch being the variable and ill-defined thing that it has been historically. The motet was almost certainly written with boy trebles in mind for the top parts, and the King's Singers have done the right and sensible thing in bringing it within the comfortable compass of their high counter-tenor. The liner-note is very good, but I had to smile at their innocent comment on the early doubts they entertained and how these were finally resolved - `This version was better than we could have hoped for'. That's that in that case, I guess. From my own less involved viewpoint their version is superlative. The peculiar recording flaw bothers me very little after a lifetime of listening to LP's, but other prospective buyers need to be warned of it. I don't in fact regret buying the disc for an instant, nor do I wish to advise anyone else not to. What I do wish is to propose a total and immediate embargo on further cd singles.

Average customer rating:

Well-balanced choral work
Utopia very much Triumphans
One of the few essential recordings of Renassance polyphony
intellectual exercise (yawn)
Great for meditation

Utopia Triumphans
Huelgas Ensemble , Paul Van Nevel , Thomas Tallis , Costanzo Porta , Josquin Desprez , Johannes Ockeghem , Pierre de Manchicourt , Giovanni Gabrieli , and Allesandro Striggio
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Spem in alium - Thomas Tallis
Sanctus, Agnus Dei - (from the `Missa Ducalis`)
Qui habitat (Psalm 90) - Josquin Desprez
Deo gratias
Laudate Dominum
Exaudi me Domine - Giovanni Gabrieli
Ecce beatam lucem

Amazon.com

A greatly expanded Huelgas Ensemble performs here a collection of multivoice works--pieces that are often referred to but, for logistical reasons, rarely performed. Tallis's famous Spem in alium non habui for 40 voices is here, of course; so is the piece that inspired it, Striggio's 40-voice Ecce beatam lucem. Also included are two extraordinary canons: Ockeghem's 36-voice Deo gratias and Josquin's 24-voice Qui habitat--as well as relatively modest pieces for 13 to 16 voices by Porta and Gabrieli. Spem has had livelier performances (try the Tallis Scholars on Gimell), but none of the others have been recorded elsewhere at all, let alone as well as this. You're not likely to hear them in concert, either, so check this disc out. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Well-balanced choral work .......2007-05-28

I admit I bought two versions of Spem In Alium performed by Huelgas Ensemble and the Tallis Scholars. There are strong and weak points in both of the recordings but what strike me most about the Huelgas' interpretation, like other reviewers covered in this review portion (and I completely agree), is its balanced performance of the piece. I could actually hear the forty voices without "drowning" and outdoing each other, unlike the Tallis Scholars' recording. However, some parts of the choral (I'm referring to Spem only) are kind a bit sloppy and technically inferior as compared to the Tallis Scholars' version. Example of this is in the portion of "ET OMNIA PECCATA HOMINUM" followed by a pause and "IN TRIBULATIONE" where the Tallis Scholars captured it best. The portion "RESPICE" is almost a whisper in the Huelgas' recording while the Scholars' interpretation of it is like Tchaikovsky's cannons in his 1819 (is the date right?) Overture, which in my opinion, is the proper interpretation (it is one of the high points of the piece, by the way) and Huelga misses this one. All in all I will rate the Scholars' performance 4 stars for its technicality and 4 stars to Huelgas' for its balanced performance. I'm just wondering if Alessandro Striggios' 60 part choral "Sanctus" survived will give these fine performers something to look forward to recording. I bet it will make Handel look like a first grader in music!!!

Utopia very much Triumphans.......2007-01-23

This magnificent recording is sure to delight all lovers of Renaissance a capella performance. The voices come over clearly and brightly with the interplay of parts easily heard in every piece. The information provided with the CD is sufficiently detailed to more than adequately place the pieces within both historical and musical context. Several of the works (Porta's 'Sanctus', Manchicourt's 'Laudate Dominum') are, I think rarely heard but hold their own well with the more frequently heard works Desprez, Ockeghem and Gabrieli. Of particular interest to me is the performance of Striggio's rarely heard forty part motet Ecce beatam lucem. The opportunity to compare and contrast this fine work with Tallis' own (and much performed) forty part motet Spem in alium is greatly enhanced by the performance notes.

One of the few essential recordings of Renassance polyphony.......2005-05-28

Paul van Nevel and the Heulgas Ensemble convey an intensely intimate yet ultimately powerful impression with this collection of gigantuan polyphonic works of mind boggling contrapunctal complexity. If you thought that some of Bach's four part counterpoint was exceedingly complex then try to get your mind around the fact that here you will find 12 voice, 24 voice - all the way up to 40 voice counterpoint! The audacity of such complexity is infinitely fascinating and utterly hypnotic. Though the mind may boggle in trying to follow the kaleidoscopic display of infinitely complex part writing, these are yet works of just enormous immediacy of emotional and spiritual appeal that makes them a far cry from the academic works they might seem to appear. These works are a testimony to the fact the composers of the Renaissance are every bit the equal of their peers in other arts such as painting and architecture, for in turns of the sheer phenomenal complexity of that these rich works display, the world has never since seen their equal.

The richer sounds of this continental European ensemble in comparison to the relentless purity of English groups is also highly welcome. As usual Paul van Nevel encourages a vocal sound that comes more from the chest giving a darker hued color that also has great expressive warmth. There is no attempt to artificially brighten up the upper registrars by doubling the soprano parts for example. In an age dominated by Cambridge style English cathedral style singing from groups which can sometimes start to sound all the same, it is wonderful to hear a group that dares to occupy so unique and distinctive a sound world as theirs.

The Spem in Alium is a good case in point for the performance here is wonderful and quite unique. As for the claim that this performance of the 'Spem in Alium' is somehow weak, you can safely ignore that. Yes, the Tallis Scholars are still excellent too but there is a place for a less ostentatious and relaxed-intimate 'chamber' approach to this music. The performers even stood forming a circle in church to record these works. Warm and understated poetic intimacy are wonderful virtues that the Huelgas Ensemble always convey in abundance.

In all this is one of the absolutely essential recordings of Renaissance polyphony. It is a must have for anyone who loves fine music and it you only own one recording of Renaissance polyphony this might well be it. It certainly has a firm place on my desert island collection.

intellectual exercise (yawn).......2004-04-12

Kudos to this group for recording these works. However I can't remember a duller performance of Spem in alium. I have performed the work three times and own several recordings of it. Whether or not you buy this CD depends on your reason for wanting it. If you want to own one recording of Spem in alium, this is not the CD you want. Get the Tallis Scholars' recording instead. If you love polyphony and are looking for a good listening experience, depending on your taste, this one might do, especially if you are looking for something relaxing (i.e., something to put you to sleep). If you are a musicologist with an intellectual interest in multichoral polyphony, and just want to hear the works, and want a performance that is correct, and don't need it to be exciting, this recording is worth the purchase.

Great for meditation.......2003-11-27

Originally having acquired this album shortly after its release in the mid-1990s after having read a magazine review, I must say that over the years this piece has stood the test of time as part of my music collection. The following is the original review I read, which was written by Barbara Eisner Bayer: "Imagine yourself in an enchanted forest where, from every direction, above and below, you're surrounded by voices - 40 in all - attacking your senses, each with an independent line. From the 40-voice motets by Tallis and Striggio to the simpler(!) 36-, 24-, and 14-voice pieces, this one-of-a-kind recording shakes your body and induces ecstatic revelry. The sound is luxuriously top-heavy, occasionally too bell-like, and small movements become lost. Because of the massive swelling when all voices sing simultaneously, individual lines tend to dive into the pool of sound, unable to claim a personal identity. This dizzying compilation of Winnebago-sized choral pieces will be exhilerating to some, a bad trip to others, but a must hear for all." Very accurately said. And, in addition to this album being an extremely high quality recording, and an excellent reading and meditation companion, I was surprised to find that the lyrics, in a language I have not read much since junior high school (Latin), are actually beautiful prayers. For example, this piece opens up with "Spem in alium": "I have never had hope in anyone but Thee, God of Israel, Thou who grow angry and will hear prayer. Thou eliminate all the sins of men in tribulation. Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, look down upon our humility." If you enjoy choral or polyphony, this is an album you will not want to dismiss.

Average customer rating:

divine
Essential Tallis
Wonderful music
Majestic
A wonderful performance but...

Thomas Tallis: Sacred Choral Works

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tallis: Spem in Alium

ASIN: B000000A4H
Release Date: 1992-07-29

Tracks:

Sacred Choral Works: Spem in alium
Sacred Choral Works: Te lucis ante terminum
Sacred Choral Works: O nata lux
Sacred Choral Works: I. Incipit lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae
The Lamentations of Jeremiah: II. De lamentatione Jeremiae prophetae
Sacred Choral Works: O sacrum convivium
Sacred Choral Works: Jesu salvator saeculi
Sacred Choral Works: Salvator mundi, salva nos
Sacred Choral Works: Loquebantur variis linguis
Sacred Choral Works: Gaude gloriosa Dei mater

Amazon.com

Hundreds of years before Phil Spector introduced American rock audiences to his "wall of sound," 16th-century English composer Thomas Tallis wrote his 40-part motet Spem in alium. This was the real thing--no electronic gimmicks, no overdubbing. Imagine the effect of eight five-part choirs in the highly resonant acoustic of a large church, piling up layer upon layer of sonic blocks of harmony; methodically, rhythmically building the sound toward a climactic conclusion more than nine minutes later. While no recording can do full justice to this piece, this one comes close. The rest of the program is filled with music and choral singing that is nothing short of inspired: there is a spare beauty in the short hymn "O nata lux"; a dazzling display of near-perfect ensemble singing in the hymn "Jesu salvator saeculi"; and sheer sensuality and exhilarating power in the six-part Marian antiphon "Gaude gloriosa." --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

divine.......2007-04-28

The rendition of "O Nata Lux" is exquisite. A short piece, flawless in its structure, performed perfectly.

Essential Tallis.......2005-12-07

This is probably the best Tallis anthology on the market, and would be an ideal introduction to this great composer. It includes a number of his most important and beloved works; Gaude gloriosa (which is excellent!!), the Lamentations, Salvator mundi, O sacrum convivium, Loquabantur, etc., and of course, Spem in alium.

This cd contains my favorite versions of both Spem and Gaude gloriosa, and everything else is very good too. If you don't know Tallis, then this is the place to start, and if you already love Tallis, or the Sixteen, then you should get it too.

Wonderful music.......2005-08-06

--Thomas Tallis-
Thomas Tallis, born in 1505, was one of the outstanding liturgical composers of his day, being the acknowledged master of the composers of England from the time of Queen Mary's reign forward. He was a composer and Gentleman of the Chapel Royal during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth, and worked closely with many other composers, most particularly William Byrd. He was an organist in addition to composer. He died in 1585, having navigated his way through the tumultuous catholic/protestant difficulties of the church which provided his livelihood and creative outlet.

--Spem in alium--
This piece, Spem in alium numquam habui (I have no faith in any other [than God]), is Tallis' most famous piece. It is a 40-part motet, set up for eight five-part choirs. It is a masterpiece. Tallis blended the chordal with the polyphonic here, to great effect. The number of voices makes for interesting effects, particularly when done in cathedral settings. Several stories have appeared about why this work was composed, but in the end, it remains unknown.

--Other music--
Other pieces here include selections from 'The Lamentations of Jeremiah' (Holy Week readings), 'Jesu salvator saeculi', 'Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater', and several other shorter pieces. Many use the well-established pattern of alternating polyphony with plainchant from verse to verse. The 'Gaude gloriosa' uses a six-part choir and high, soaring treble voices - this is very typically English of the period.

--The Sixteen, Harry Christophers--
Alas, the liner notes do not tell much about the choir or choirmaster, Harry Christophers. It does include photographs. The Sixteen have been together since its formation in 1977 by Christophers, educated at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and Magdalen College, Oxford. They are fast approaching 100 recordings as a group, of which this is a good example.

Majestic.......2004-09-26

This Spem emphasizes balance between its eight choirs. The Tallis Scholars' performance, initially more spectacular thanks to its brighter acoustic and the more virtuosic pre-eminence of the trebles, for me finally loses more of harmonic complexity than it gains in intensity. The accent on the treble part overwhelms the majestic interweaving of harmonies, which this recording displays to awesome effect. To me, the Tallis Scholars' Spem is like a spectacular display of fireworks, while The Sixteen's is ocean waves crashing against cliffs. This reviewer is grateful for both.

A wonderful performance but..........2004-02-09

This cd presents the best and most famous sacred works of Reformation England composer Thomas Tallis, including Spem in Alium, a gorgeous piece for 40 voices, and the poignant Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah. They are sung by a huge mixed choir, which gives the pieces a tremendous power.The rendition is first-rate and deeply moving.
Unfortunately, the clarity of the recording leaves much to be desired. I have played this cd on several hi-fi players and the result has always been disappointing. The sound is muffled, muddy, it does not come out with full force and clarity.
I recommend the "Best of the Renaissance" by the Tallis Scholars if you want to listen to a crystal-clear Spem in Alium and to "Lamenta" performed by Philip Cave et al for the Lamentations of Jeremiah.

Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah in 2; Spem

Average customer rating:

The perfect Tallis record
Sublime
Sublime

Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah in 2; Spem

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002ZN9
Release Date: 1993-11-16

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

This recording has a huge advantage over most of its rivals for the attention of Tallis listeners: the wonderful acoustics of Winchester Cathedral. In this magnificent space, the soaring lines and resplendent harmonies of Tallis's greatest masterpieces find sympathetic resonance, resulting in a heightened dramatic presence that takes the music beyond earthly confines. Of course, beyond the exceptional quality of the writing, credit must go to the phenomenal men and boys of Winchester Cathedral Choir. Where, even in England, does one find trebles who sing with more assuredness, musicality, and beauty of tone? With a repertoire including "In ieiunio et fletu," "Salvator mundi," "In manus tuas," "The Lamentations of Jeremiah," "O nata lux," and the unbelievable 40-part motet "Spem in alium," this is the Tallis disc to own if you're buying only one. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

The perfect Tallis record.......2000-04-30

Ultimately, this disc has two things going for it.

Firstly, it is a treasure trove of Tallis' finest Latin choral music, with gems great and small. Short pieces, such as "O Nata Lux" and the even tinier "Te lucis ante terminum," are given an exquisite rendering alongside larger motets (the opening track, "O salutaris hostia," is particularly ravishing). The programme includes both parts of the "Lamentations" for men's voices, which makes for especially good listening, but the best is saved until last: "Spem in alium," one of the most mammoth choral compositions ever written, is breathtakingly surveyed by the Cathedral Choir, the Winchester College Quiristers and the Vocal Arts Chorus.

Secondly, as recordings go, there could not be a much better one than this for demonstrating the excellence achieved by the Winchester Cathedral Choir under David Hill over the past twelve years. Listening to them as they sing this music in the generous acoustics of the ancient cathedral, one cannot help but feel that this is the best way in which to offer this music, when all's said and done. Whilst such forces as The Sixteen and The Cardinall's Musick have done much outstanding work to spread this type of music abroad through their concert performances, it is important to remember that it was all written for worship, not for concerts, and it is only fitting that a cathedral choir should broadcast it in this way.

As an act of worship, this disc is sublime. As a rendering of Tallis' music, it is superior. Worth getting and listening to over and over again.

Sublime.......1998-09-26

I purchased this CD with only a general awareness of Tallis. It is true that the voices and acoustics of this recording are exceptional, working delicately with the music -- never overbearing. When listening to this recording, I often wonder if the religious expression of an earlier age proposed answers that we have lost in the current day.

Sublime.......1998-09-26

Average customer rating:

Excellent Choice to Sample Composers and Musicians
Makes you feel like your in heaven
Yee haw whut fine moosic

More Tears from Heaven

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ASIN: B00000I9LX
Release Date: 1999-03-09

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Spem In Alium - Musica Sacra Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Choice to Sample Composers and Musicians.......2004-11-26

World class musicians performing masterpieces. So many sampler CDs offer mediocre performers, but the musicians here are the cream of the crop. The choice of composers is also inspired. This is a great way to test the waters on choral music and find favorites without having to break the bank. One of my all time favorite CDs.

Makes you feel like your in heaven.......2002-02-23

I wish I could hear these musical pieces live. This, though, is the closest thing to doing that.

Yee haw whut fine moosic.......2000-05-11

ah pow'ful injoy this hyar CD. It soun's fine an' ah love th' sin'in' an' sco'es. A fine colleckshun af'er th' fust CD. ah particularly liked th' rendishun of that there Sergei Rachmaninov boys tune.

Tallis: Spem in alium; Missa Salve intemerata [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

come for Spem in Alium, stay for Salve Intermata
Superior Performance and Ornery Acoustics

Tallis: Spem in alium; Missa Salve intemerata [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009JMECY
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Customer Reviews:

come for Spem in Alium, stay for Salve Intermata.......2006-05-23

I wasn't sure what to expect of this recording because, since Naxos is a 'budget' label, I admit I was slightly prejudiced against Jeremy Summerly & his Oxford Camerata. After listening to this version of Spem in Alium a few times I've found that this is my favourite one. I've got recordings by the King's College choir, Tallis Scholars & Huelgas Ensemble. I like this recording most because it has very strong trebles (ie not low in the mix), it's not miked too close, it has a slightly slower tempo than the others, and seems to have a stronger 'beat' than the other ones. It seems to almost 'pulsate' with activity, especially when all 40 voices are in. As if the Spem in alium isn't enough, the Salve Intermata (apparently written when Tallis was in his early 20s) is another 'extreme' piece, which is also very good, although for different reasons. Spem in Alium has a large number of singers; the Salve Intermata lasts about 23 minutes! In contrast with Spem in Alium it is for 5 voices & is very calm, slow & meditative. I'm not sure which is the highlight of this cd... The rest of the cd feels more like the Salve Intermata since the mass is based on the motet & the 3 motets at the end have a similar feel to the Salve. All in all a very good cd, and a nice surprise!

Superior Performance and Ornery Acoustics .......2005-07-06

If you love the "great" works of Tallis, those performed by Chapelle du Roi (on Signum CDs) could hardly be bettered. It is often difficult to sort out the lyrics and melodies of choral music recorded in a resonant space, but the engineers on Signum did it with their Tallis series, and the Chapelle du Roi know this music inside-out.

I do think these versions of the Missa Salve intemerata and Spem in alium by Oxford Camerata might have been equally satsfying had their engineer conquered the resonance of All Hallows Church.

In the Spem in alium, the verse, and even the melodic line, dissolve as the music soars -- then saturates the ears . Modest hifi systems may also reveal rolloff during the Spem in alium because the sound on the Naxos seems compressed at high volume. And that's a pity, because the Oxford Camerata perform this piece so beautifully.

Having said all this, I would buy this disc for its passionate performances. The Oxford Camerata are at the top of their game, and that will be enough for most listeners. At the Naxos price, buy it without delay, but if you really love these works, get the Signum versions too.

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