Thomas Tallis – The Complete Works (10 CD box set, FLAC)

Conductor: Alistair Dixon
Composer: Thomas Tallis
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 10 CD box set
Format: FLAC (tracks+cue)
Label: Brilliant Classics
Size: 2.71 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc: 01
01. Ave Dei patris filia, motet (antiphon) for 5 voices, P. 162
02. Ave rosa sine spinis, motet (votive antiphon) for 5 voices, P. 169
03. Alleluia, ora pro nobis, motet for 4 voices, P. 88
04. Euge celi porta, motet for 4 voices, P. 179
05. Work(s): Kyrie: Deus creator
06. Mass ‘Salve intemerata’, for 5 voices, P. 3: Gloria
07. Mass ‘Salve intemerata’, for 5 voices, P. 3: Credo
08. Mass ‘Salve intemerata’, for 5 voices, P. 3: Sanctus & Benedictus
09. Mass ‘Salve intemerata’, for 5 voices, P. 3: Agnus Dei
10. Salve intemerata virgo, motet (antiphon) for 5 voices, P. 144

Disc: 02
01. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, for 5 voices, P. 73: Magnificat
02. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, for 5 voices, P. 73: Nunc dimittis
03. Sancte Deus, motet (antiphon) for 4 voices, P. 98
04. Work(s): Conditor Kyrie
05. Mass, for 4 voices, P. 31: Gloria
06. Mass, for 4 voices, P. 31: Credo
07. Mass, for 4 voices, P. 31: Sanctus
08. Mass, for 4 voices, P. 31: Benedictus
09. Mass, for 4 voices, P. 31: Agnus Dei
10. Remember not, O Lord God (2 versions), anthem for 4 voices
11. Hear the voice and prayer, anthem for 4 voices
12. If ye love me, anthem for 4 voices
13. A new commandment, anthem for 4 voices
14. Benedictus, for 4 voices
15. Te Deum, for 5 voices

Disc: 03
01. Blessed are those, anthem for 5 voices
02. Work(s): Introit: Puer natus est nobis
03. Work(s): Kyrie: Deus Creator
04. Mass ‘Puer natus est nobis’ (incomplete), for 7 voices, P. 49: Gloria
05. Viderunt omnes, gradual in mode 5 (Liber Usualis, No. 409; GR. 33)
06. Dies sanctificatus, Halleluja (Weihn 9)
07. Celeste organum, sequence
08. Mass ‘Puer natus est nobis’ (incomplete), for 7 voices, P. 49: Sanctus
09. Mass ‘Puer natus est nobis’ (incomplete), for 7 voices, P. 49: Benedictus
10. Mass ‘Puer natus est nobis’ (incomplete), for 7 voices, P. 49: Agnus dei
11. Viderunt Omnes, communion in mode 1 (Liber Usualis, No. 410, GR. 35)
12. Suscipe quaeso, motet for 7 voices, P. 222
13. Gaude gloriosa Dei mater, motet (antiphon) for 6 voices, P. 123

Disc: 04
01. Hodie nobis caelorum Rex, motet for 4 voices, P. 92
02. Salvator mundi Domine (Adesto nunc propitius), motet for 5 voices, P. 242
03. Quod chorus vatum (Haec Deum coeli), motet for 5 voices, P. 261
04. Videte miraculum, motet for 6 voices, P. 293
05. In pace in idipsum, motet for 4 voices, P. 94
06. Dum transisset Sabbatum, motet for 5 voices, P. 257
07. Jesu Salvator saeculi (Tu fabricator omnium), motet for 5 voices, P. 289
08. Semone blando angelus (Illae dum pergunt concitae), motet for 5 voices, P. 193
09. Jam Christus astra ascenderat (Solemnis urgebat dies), motet for 5 voices, P. 285
10. Loquebantur variis linguis, motet for 7 voices, P. 272
11. Magnificat, for 4 voices, P. 64

Disc: 05
01. Audivi vocem, motet for 4 voices, P. 90
02. Candidi facti sunt Nazarei, motet for 5 voices, P. 186
03. Honor, virtus et potestas, motet for 5 voices, P. 237
04. Homo quidam fecit coenam, motet for 6 voices, P. 282
05. Te lucis ante terminum (Procul recedant somnia) (I), motet for 5 voices, P. 214
06. Te lucis ante terminum (Procul recedant somnia) (II), motet for 5 voices, P. 215
07. Natus est nobis, for keyboard
08. Work(s): Veni redemptor genitum
09. Jam lucis orto sidere, for keyboard
10. Ecce tempus idoneum (I), for keyboard
11. Ex more docti myistico, for keyboard
12. Clarifica me pater (I), for keyboard
13. Clarifica me pater (II), for keyboard
14. Clarifica me pater (III), for keyboard
15. Gloria tibi Trinitas, for organ
16. Iste confessor, for keyboard
17. Work(s): Alleluia: per te Dei genitrix
18. Felix namque (II), for keyboard

Disc: 06
01. Christ Rising, anthem for 5 voices (doubtful, probably by W.Byrd)
02. Preces and Responses (I), for 5 voices
03. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Venite
04. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Te Deum
05. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Benedictus
06. Preces and Responses (I), for 5 voices: Responses and collects for Easter Matins
07. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Commandments
08. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Credo
09. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Offertory sentence
10. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Sanctus
11. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Gloria
12. Preces and Responses (II), for 5 voices: Preces (2nd set)
13. Psalm sequence for Christmas, 10 psalms for 5 voices: Wherewithal shall a young man
14. Psalm sequence for Christmas, 10 psalms for 5 voices: O do well unto thy servant
15. Psalm sequence for Christmas, 10 psalms for 5 voices: My soul cleaveth to the dust
16. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Magnificat
17. Short Service (Dorian Service), for 4 voices: Nunc dimittis
18. Preces and Responses (II), for 5 voices: Responses and collects for Christmas Eve evensong
19. O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit, anthem for 4 voices
20. Purge Me, O Lord (also set as partsong: ‘Fond youth is but a bubble’), anthem for 4 voices
21. Verily, verily I say unto you, anthem for 4 voices
22. Remember not, O Lord God (2 versions), anthem for 4 voices
23. O Lord, in thee is all my trust, anthem for 4 voices
24. Out from the deep (doubtful, probably by W.Parsons), anthem
25. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: Man blest no doubt
26. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: Let God arise in majesty
27. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: Why fum’th in fight
28. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: O come in one to praise the Lord
29. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: E’en like the hunted hind
30. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: Expend, O Lord, my plaint
31. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: Why brag’st in malice high
32. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: God grant with grace
33. Psalm Tunes (9) for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, for 4 voices: Ordinal

Disc: 07
01. Salvator mundi (I) (also set as ‘Arise O Lord’ and ‘With all our hearts’), motet for 5 voices, P. 216
02. O sacrum convivium (also set as ‘I call and cry to thee’ and ‘O sacred and holy banquet’), motet for 5 voices, P. 210
03. In manus tuas, motet for 5 voices, P. 202
04. O nata lux de lumine, motet (hymn) for 5 voices, P. 209
05. Absterge Domine, motet for 5 voices, P. 180
06. Discomfort them O Lord, for 5 voices (contrafacta of Absterge Domine)
07. Domine, quis habitabit, motet (psalm) for 5 voices, P. 246
08. Laudate Dominum, motet (psalm) for 5 voices, P. 266
09. Miserere nostri, motet for 7 voices, P. 207
10. Salvator mundi (II) (also set as ‘When Jesus went’), motet for 5 voices, P. 219
11. Mihi autem nimis (also set as ‘Blessed be thy name’), motet (Introit) for 5 voices, P. 204
12. O salutaris hostia (also set as ‘O praise the Lord’), motet (antiphon) for 5 voices
13. In jejunio et fletu, motet for 5 voices, P. 198
14. In jejunio et fletu, motet for 5 voices, P. 198
15. Derelinquit impius, motet for 5 voices, P. 189
16. Spem in Alium (also set as ‘Sing and glorify’), motet for 40 voices, P. 299

Disc: 08
01. Lamentations (of Jeremiah), 1st lesson for 5 voices, P. 102
02. Lamentations (of Jeremiah), 2nd lesson for 5 voices, P. 110
03. Work(s): Wipe away my Sins
04. Work(s): Forgive me, Lord, my sin
05. Blessed are those, anthem for 5 voices
06. Salvator mundi (I) (also set as ‘Arise O Lord’ and ‘With all our hearts’), motet for 5 voices, P. 216
07. Salvator mundi (I) (also set as ‘Arise O Lord’ and ‘With all our hearts’), motet for 5 voices, P. 216
08. O sacrum convivium (also set as ‘I call and cry to thee’ and ‘O sacred and holy banquet’), motet for 5 voices, P. 210
09. O sacrum convivium (also set as ‘I call and cry to thee’ and ‘O sacred and holy banquet’), motet for 5 voices, P. 210
10. Salvator mundi (II) (also set as ‘When Jesus went’), motet for 5 voices, P. 219
11. Mihi autem nimis (also set as ‘Blessed be thy name’), motet (Introit) for 5 voices, P. 204
12. O salutaris hostia (also set as ‘O praise the Lord’), motet (antiphon) for 5 voices
13. Spem in Alium (also set as ‘Sing and glorify’), motet for 40 voices, P. 299

Disc: 09
01. In Nomine (I), for 4 viols
02. In Nomine (II), for 4 viols
03. A Solfaing Song, for 5 viols
04. Salvator mundi (I) (also set as ‘Arise O Lord’ and ‘With all our hearts’), motet for 5 voices, P. 216
05. Fantasy, for keyboard
06. Felix namque (II), for keyboard
07. Felix namque (I), for keyboard
08. When shall my sorrowful sighing slake, partsong for 4 voices
09. Like as the doleful dove, partsong for 4 voices
10. O ye tender babes, partsong for 4 voices
11. Purge Me, O Lord (also set as partsong: ‘Fond youth is but a bubble’), anthem for 4 voices
12. Salve intemerata virgo, motet (antiphon) for 5 voices, P. 144: Per haec nos
13. Poyncte for the Virginals (A Point), for keyboard
14. Lesson ‘Two parts in one’ (also atrributed to J.Bull), for keyboard
15. Remember not, O Lord God (2 versions), anthem for 4 voices
16. Salve intemerata virgo, motet (antiphon) for 5 voices, P. 144: Per haec nos
17. Poyncte for the Virginals (A Point), for keyboard
18. Lesson ‘Two parts in one’ (also atrributed to J.Bull), for keyboard
19. Salve intemerata virgo, motet (antiphon) for 5 voices, P. 144: Tu nimirum
20. When shall my sorrowful sighing slake, partsong for 4 voices
21. Like as the doleful dove, partsong for 4 voices
22. O ye tender babes, partsong for 4 voices
23. Ye sacred Muses (elegy for Thomas Tallis), consort song for voice & 4 viols

Disc: 10
01. Litany (O God, the Father of Heaven), for 5 voices
02. Work(s): Verset I
03. Work(s): Verset II
04. Felix namque (I), for keyboard

I can’t praise highly enough the service to the music world that Brilliant Classics is doing by issuing the complete works of both well-known and lesser-known masters. Brilliant is perhaps best known for its complete sets of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, each priced at a little over $100 for close to 100 CDs in each set.

I was previously familiar with the English Thomas Tallis (1505-1585), but not with the complete spectrum of his works, which is available in this set. Most of the works are Catholic Latin choral works, highly suggestive of the sublime master of sacred polyphony, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1514-1594), Tallis’s Italian contemporary.

Palestrina remained completely Catholic, and wrote only for the Church. Tallis, as an Englishman, was caught up in that revolutionary period, when Henry VIII and his successors began introducing modified Church services in the early part of that period known as the Protestant Reformation. CD6 contains some of the music for these services, some in Latin and some in English. (English just doesn’t cut it as a liturgical language; it always comes across as trite in comparison to the Latin.)

Some of Tallis’s Latin settings almost equal the great Palestrina, such as “Spem in alium” for forty individual voices, which is perhaps the most familiar of Tallis’s works. CD9 and CD10 contain Tallis’s instrumental music, primarily on lute and harmonium, with some vocal airs.

The engineering is clear, as with all the Brilliant Classics sets, which are not reissues of older material, but new recordings. The 10-CD set is supplemented by a CD-ROM containing all linernotes and text of the vocal music.