Today brings to an end my time exploring the works of Thomas Tallis.
Thanks to the good folks at Brilliant Classics, I’ve learned quite a bit about this ancient composer.
The main thing I learned is that I’m not a fan of the very late Mr. Tallis.
Oh, I appreciate his place in music history (1505-1585). I appreciate the extremely talented musicians who brought Tallis’ music to life again. I’m in awe of the vocal and instrumental gifts of these very fine musicians. These recordings are superbly crafted and masterfully performed. No question.
However, I appreciate my music to be less monastic and more bombastic. (Hint: think Mozart or Beethoven.)
As I noted in previous posts, the period instruments tend to wear on my after awhile, although I do appreciate the organ (today, performed by Andrew Benson-Wilson) much more than the harpsichord.
Just the Facts
CD 10 of this 10-CD box set consists of four tracks that clock in at 26:44.
Track 1 was recorded in July of 2000. Tracks 2-4 were recorded: the organ in the chapel of Knole, Sevenoaks, May 1999.
This CD is marked DDD, which means it is an all-digital recording. (Digitally recorded, Digitally mixed, and Digitally mastered.) Purists, those folks who think vinyl sounds better than CDs (they’re wrong) would probably look askance at this recording. To my ears, this is the best way to record music to precisely capture every note. But what do I know?
Alistair Dixon conducted Chapelle du Roi.
Alistair Dixon wrote the brief liner notes for CD 10, which indicate this is, truly, the very last of the Tallis music possible to perform and record. In fact, the notes include this:
Tracks two and tree should be considered dubia since in their source they appear untitled, with a composer ascription that is almost decipherable. Whilst this could be read as ‘Tallis’ this is by no means certain.
So, this may or may not even be music written by Thomas Tallis.
Even if it is not, it is music of an ancient source that bears reproducing in the 21st century.
Just the Feelings
Recording quality: 5
Overall musicianship/vocals: 5
CD liner notes: 5
How does this make me feel: 2
This CD was more of a “leftover” disc than one of carefully curated material, according to the liner notes. By that, I mean it contains songs that did not fit on previous CDs in this box set.
I wasn’t as thrilled with this music as I was the last track of CD 8 (“Sing and Glorify Heaven’s High Majesty”). Nothing from Thomas Tallis will ever top that experience.
Overall, I’d say exploring the music of Thomas Tallis was worthy of my time.
Now…
On to Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)!