Search - Thomas [Composer] Tallis, Paul Nicholson, Alan Wilson :: Tallis: Latin Church Music

Superb Tallis

Sid Nuncius | London England | 03/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fabulous set. It contains most of Tallis's most beautiful music, all gloriously sung. The large scale Spem in alium and Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater are both overwhelming in their skill, sensitivity and grandeur, with the delicate passages and great sonorities both beautifully expressed, and the smaller, more intimate works are generally exquisitely done. For me, the real highlight is The Lamentations Of Jeremiah. Of all the excellent recordings which exist, including the haunting plangency of The Hilliard Ensemble and the perfect brilliance of The Tallis Scholars, this is my favourite. It laments without being oppressive, and Parrott's choice of lower pitch means that the sound is rich and resonant, with the basses descending to a positively spine-tingling depth at "Ierusalem, Ierusalem" in the First Set.



With the excellent Andrew Parrott directing and the Taverner Consort littered with what have become star names like Emily van Evera, Caroline Trevor, John Mark Ainsley and Rogers Covey-Crump (to name but a few) one would expect something really special and this set doesn't disappoint in any way. As an introduction to Tallis you couldn't do better, I think, and for the seasoned Tallis listener it is a treat of impeccable singing, beautiful interpretation and wonderful, resonant sound.



This is a simply brilliant re-issue, and at this price an unmissable bargain. It is a treasured gem of my collection, and I can recommend it wholeheartedly."