Thomas Tallis
English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis was born in the early sixteenth century, possibly sometime between 1500 and 1520, and possibly in Kent. Very little is known about his early life.
From probably 1543, he was a court composer and organist for four British monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. He was a Roman Catholic but mostly avoided this period's religious controversies. During the reign of Elizabeth I, he and his student, William Byrd, had sole use of the paper used to print music, and he had exclusive music printing rights in any language.
He died at his home in Greenwich, London on either 20 or 23 November 1585, and is considered one of England's greatest composers, with a prominent place in many English choral music anthologies.
A selection of articles about Thomas Tallis
Ensemble. A Fascinating Mix - Mike Wheeler listens to a joint concert by Derby Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva
Ensemble. Inventive Programming - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Vaughan Williams, George Walker and Tchaikovsky
CD Spotlight. Infectious Magic - Albion Records releases a disc of unusual music for the Vaughan Williams anniversary, and Gerald Fenech finds it unmissable. '... these performances are the result of deep immersion in the performing traditions of RVW's repertoire ...'
Ensemble. Water Under the Bridge - Mike Wheeler welcomes Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra back to Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall for the opening of the new season
Simultaneous Beethoven - Endre Anaru listens to all the Beethoven symphonies simultaneously
Ensemble. Thrilling Singing - Alec Roth, Tallis, Striggio and Gabriel Jackson from Ex Cathedra, conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Immensely Responsive - The Choir of Merton College, Oxford, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... beautifully moulded lines ...'
CD Spotlight. Polyphonic Masterpieces - Music from the Baldwin Partbooks, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'The Marian Consort's delivery is clean, unembellished and wholly uplifting ...'
Ensemble. An Outstanding Success - The Tallis Scholars celebrate Arvo Pärt's eightieth birthday at Italy's Sagra Musicale Umbra, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Sonic Distinction - The British vocal octet Voces8, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... a luminous selection of pieces spanning over four hundred years ...'
A Luminous Experience - The Derwent Singers perform music by Fauré, Tallis, Byrd, Gabrieli, Eric Whitacre and John Rutter, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Truly Angelic - Passiontide music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'An edifying programme in excellent sound and presentation ...'
Ensemble. Joy for the Soul - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Sagra Musicale Umbra
Ensemble. Restrained Intensity - Mike Wheeler drops in on the City of London Sinfonia's Fauré Requiem tour
CD Spotlight. Idiomatic Performances - Music for viols, heard by Robert Anderson. '... sensitively blended and tonally warm.'
Ensemble. Exciting Teamwork - Roderic Dunnett was in Worcester for the 2011 Three Choirs Festival
Ensemble. Substantial and Astonishing - Robert Hugill listens to sixteenth century Christmas music sung by the Chapelle du Roi
Timings - Breaking Moulds: 1910, by Jennifer Paull
CD Spotlight. Gentle Passions - Music by John Jeffreys, heard by Patric Standford. '... beautifully paced ...'
Ensemble. Distinctive Fervour - Music for Holy Week sung by the Chapelle du Roi, heard by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Splendid Richness - Music from Goldsmiths Chamber Choir and Brass Ensemble, heard by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
CD Spotlight. A Striking Urgency - Schnittke and Ginastera from the Choir of St Ignatius Loyola, reviewed by Howard Smith. 'Not quite what one might expect.'
Record Box. Magical and Sensitive - A recording by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain inspires Patric Standford
Ensemble. Bess of Hardwick - Derbyshire celebrates an important sixteenth century figure, by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Real Inspiration - Verse anthems from FifteenB, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett
CD Spotlight. Without Carols - Renaissance music for Christmas, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... endless web of glorious sound recorded sound ...'
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Analysis
Stylistic Variety - Passiontide music sung by the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Velvety Textures - Malcolm Miller enjoys Voces8 in London's new Foundling Museum Lunchtime Series
Ensemble. An exuberant performance - Mike Wheeler reviews the last of Derby Cathedral's summer organ recitals, given by Tom Corfield