The Tallis Scholars - Tallis Scholars at 40: Gesualdo at 400

‘In this anniversary year of Carlo Gesualdo’s death, it is a pleasure to perform again his astonishing Responsories for Holy Saturday. When our recording of this set first came out in the late ’80s the Gramophone critic wrote: ‘Is this great music or merely weird?’ After many more performances I can say quite clearly that it is both. Gesualdo was unique; and whatever one thinks of his behaviour in life, I am convinced he knew exactly what he was doing with his music. To complement Gesualdo’s chromatic style we have put together a second half of music which has similar features – experimental, chromatic, ahead of its time – ending with that much-loved arch-revolutionary, Monteverdi.’ (Peter Phillips)

Part of Cadogan Hall's Choral at Cadogan 2012/13 series.