The Tallis Christmas Mass

The Tallis Christmas Mass

Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 034
Gimell 454 934

Contents:

Missa "Puer natus est" à 7

1. Gloria
2. Sanctus & Benedictus
3. Agnus Dei
4. Motet: Audivi vocem
5. Magnificat
6. Motet: Ave Dei patris filia

Playing time: 56'

Release date: 1998

Tallis' Mass on the Christmas introit "Puer natus est" is his longest polyphonic setting, and one of his most elaborate compositions. In fact, it is one of the most elaborate masses to be written in England. It was composed during the reign of Queen Mary, and was probably to be a part of the marriage ceremony between Mary and Philip II of Spain. In this piece, Tallis abandons his typically simple syllabic style and incorporates all manner of polyphonic devices. Unfortunately, the Credo survives only as a fragment.

Other recordings of the present mass:

Philip & Mary

Music from the Anglo Spanish Court
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Collins Classics 1525

Tallis: Mass "Puer natus est"

The Clerkes of Oxenford - David Wulstan
Calliope 9623

Unto Us a Child is Born

Tallis: Missa "Puer natus est" / Byrd: Propers for the Nativity
Handel & Haydn Society Chorus - Grant Llewellyn
Arabesque 671

The other recordings by the Tallis Scholars devoted to Thomas Tallis (c.1505-1585):

Tallis: Spem in Alium, etc.

Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 454 906

Tallis: The Complete English Anthems

Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 454 907

Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah

Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 454 925

Finally, a recording by the present ensemble devoted to Tallis' major contemporary, Robert White:

White: Tudor Church Music

Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 454 930

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