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Product Description
Review
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 celebratoin of its first quarter-centruy devoted to early music. --BBC Music Magazine
CD Description
Newly recorded in the round and in surround sound, Thomas Tallis' 40-part motet, Spem in alium, one of the great landmarks of polyphony, forms the centre-piece of this dazzling CD. Under the theme, Music for Monarchs and Magnates' The Sixteen draws together music by Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons and Thomas Tomkins, some of it never before recorded, some indeed not performed since the time of its writing. It explores the use of music for ceremonial, even propaganda purposes by the state, contrasted with the composers' private use of biblical texts to give public vent to their own sometimes dangerous views in an England torn by political and religious strife. Alongside the usual 40 voice setting of Spem in Alium is an English version of the same work - Sing and Glorify - which was adapted to an English text for King James I to honour his son Henry, the newly-annointed Prince of Wales. With cornetts, sackbuts, dulcians and organs in place of some voices, this is a glorious complement to the usual version. This disc is available as a CD/SACD (plays in CD players and in SACD players).
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By P. SIMPSON
Format:Audio CD
For most people, the star attraction of the disc will be Tallis' Spem in Alium. My favourites to date have been the impeccable but still powerful Tallis Scholars’ version on Gimmel (beautifully recorded) and, more recently, a magnificent, heart-stoppingly beautiful rendition by Magnificat on Linn (SACD and HDCD), also splendidly recorded. This new version has an edge on redbooks in that it is recorded in the round and in surround, in a beautifully balanced, hugely impressive MC recording. To my mind, the performance doesn't quite match the purity of the Tallis Scholars or the powerful beauty of Magnificat, but its pretty damned close, and the sound is a winner. I wouldn’t replace the Magnificat recording for anything, but this will stand alongside it.
For me, the stand out track apart from "Spem" was Thomas Tomkin's disciplined but gravely moving elegy for Prince Henry (son of James I) "Know you not" but the whole disc is musically strong. For this track and most of the rest of the pieces, the rear speakers largely carry just ambient information, which is both quite natural and appropriate.
My only quibble with the sound is that, compared to the Linn disc, it sounds a little artificial and glassy. But otherwise, an excellent disc.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was recommended by a friend and I was not disappointed. Wonderful music, a very real pleasure to listen to.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wanted a recording of "Spem in Allium" by Thomas Tallis and browsed reviews before deciding on the version by The Sixteen. I was not disappointed. They make a glorious sound .
The CD is called "Music For Monarchs and Magnates" and as well as "Spem in Allium" there are other lovely pieces, by Tallis, Orlando Gibbons, William Byrd and Thomas Tomkins, some well known but some rearranged specially for this CD. They come from a turbulent time in England's religious history and the mood is sometimes of thanksgiving, sometimes of mourning. Some of the works are in English, some in Latin but the helpful notes give translations as well as background.
The CD is called "Music For Monarchs and Magnates" and as well as "Spem in Allium" there are other lovely pieces, by Tallis, Orlando Gibbons, William Byrd and Thomas Tomkins, some well known but some rearranged specially for this CD. They come from a turbulent time in England's religious history and the mood is sometimes of thanksgiving, sometimes of mourning. Some of the works are in English, some in Latin but the helpful notes give translations as well as background.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful music
I did not know much about Tudor music before. "Spem in alium" had been cited as an exceptional piece of choral music and so I chose what I hoped would be a good performance by the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by AL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spem In Alium
This is a splendid recording by the Sixteen - raises the hairs on the neck -- I'm having it at my funeral!
Published on 17 July 2010 by Mrs. S. A. Charlewood
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Stress Buster Beyond Compare
Surely this is indeed the music of Heaven! Just a few bars in and the stresses and worries of the day are soothed away. The ultimate relaxation experience.
Published on 2 Sep 2009 by Hippo Reader
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