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Thomas
Tallis: The Complete Works
Volume 9 - The
Instrumental Music and Songs
Charivari Agrèable, Lynda Sayce, Laurence Cummings, Stephen Taylor,
Andrew Benson Wilson
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"The consort pieces ... are exceedingly bright and warm ... Lynda Sayce contributes
an astonishing performance ... the very simple and pure
interpretation by Stephen Taylor is most affecting"
Early Music America
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"in this splendid series ... Laurence Cummings ... brings ...
(the ) music wonderfully to life" BBC
Music Magazine |
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"this recording is a collection of delights ...
including the smooth sound of Stephen Taylor’s countertenor voice. ...
a splendid final offering by Chapelle du Roi"
Gramophone |
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"With the issue of this double CD, we reach the triumphant
conclusion of one of the most fascinating and enjoyable complete
works projects of recent times" Early Music Scotland |
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"a successful conclusion to the series, containing a good
deal of previously unrecorded music"
Early Music Today |
Signum Records are delighted to present the final volume of The
Complete Works of Thomas Tallis.
The final release explores the most obscure and enigmatic corner of
Tallis’s output – his secular music. His profession as church musician and
member of the Chapel Royal did not require him to write secular songs or
pieces, yet some works may have been written for the Tudor court. Other
works are thought to have been written for generations of choir boys, who
were assisted with their training by the composer. Plays and performances
outside of the choirboy’s obligation were popular, as well as instrumental
consort music and keyboard pieces associated with their training. Tallis
is likely to have been given the opportunity to write his secular works
for these occasions.
Tallis’s music was admired and used by others far beyond the Chapel
Royal and the court. Some of his intended sacred choral works are included
on this recording in other guises, arranged by musicians with performance
intentions very different to that of the church. His reputation of
greatness amongst his friends and contemporaries is reflected in William
Byrd’s elegy Ye sacred muses, where he echoes the sentiments of others
with the words "Tallis is dead, and Music dies". This musical tribute has
justifiably become one of Byrd’s most popular works.
Volume 9 of The Complete Works is a double CD release, marking the end
of this popular series. Alistair Dixon has realised the project, and
directed his choir Chapelle du Roi throughout the earlier volumes.
Musicians featured on this final disc are: Andrew Benson-Williams (organ),
Laurence Cummings (virginals), the ensemble Charivari Agréable, Lynda
Sayce (lute), and Stephen Taylor (counter tenor)
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