Tallis Scholars return with Renaissance and modern masters

By Linda Holt, 14 December 2020

Loading, please wait...

“It is a rare thing to hear a performance permeated by such artistry, dedication, and respect”

Reviewed at Smith Square Hall, London on 12 December 2020

Programme to include:

Works by Tallis

Works by Sheppard

Britten, Hymn to the Virgin

Pärt, Bogoroditsye Dyevo

Works by Victoria

The Tallis Scholars

Peter Phillips, Conductor

The Heavenly chorus: the Tallis Scholars in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 6th November

In a celestial choir-off, one could imagine the Tallis Scholars giving the Seraphims and Cherubims a run for their money.

****1

Luminous Rest: The Tallis Scholars sing Tavener at the Proms

David Fay, 4th August

The Tallis Scholars and the Heath Quartet perform the music of John Tavener at the Royal Albert Hall, on the 100th anniversary of the start of Britain's involvement in the First World War.

*****

Tallis Scholars in NYC

Rebecca Lentjes, 16th November

Part of the White Light Festival at Lincoln Center, The Tallis Scholars gave a selection of music that ranged from John Taverner to Nico Muhly.

****1

Tallis Scholars make a memorable Auckland debut at Holy Trinity Cathedral

Simon Holden, 23rd October

The Tallis Scholars have been one of the foremost Renaissance vocal ensemble since their inception forty years ago. This was the ensemble’s first visit to New Zealand (organised by Chamber Music New Zealand in partnership with the New Zealand Choral Federation and Dean Endowment Trust) and the performance quality made it worth every minute of the forty year wait.

*****

Prom 43: The Tallis Scholars sing Taverner and Gesualdo

Paul Kilbey, 14th August

“This is surely music at its most extreme, from any period,” wrote Peter Phillips, in a note explaining his “chalk and cheese” programme for The Tallis Scholars at the Proms on Wednesday night.

***11

The Tallis Scholars at 40, Gesualdo at 400 at Cadogan Hall

Emily Owen, 29th May

Celebrating their 40th anniversary year, The Tallis Scholars presented a programme of Renaissance polyphony centred around another anniversary – that of Carlo Gesualdo, the 400th anniversary of whose death falls this year. The first half of the concert was a complete performance of Gesualdo’s masterpiece, the Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday (1611).

****1

More reviews...

Linda Holt

Linda Holt writes about classical music for broadstreetreview.com and newyorkclassicalreview.com, with a special interest in the life and works of Beethoven. She has a doctorate in arts-and-letters from Drew University (U.S.), studied music theory and history at Rider University, and teaches humanities courses. She is president of the Princeton Research Forum ( princetonresearchforum.org ) and member of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society and American Beethoven Society. As L.L. Holt, she is the author of two acclaimed novels based on Beethoven’s early years: Invictus (Harvard Square Editions, 2019) and The Black Spaniard (Unsolicited Press, 2016).