Prom 43 - 14.08.13: Tallis Scholars

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

10.15pm – c. 11.30pm
Royal Albert Hall

Taverner: Kyrie 'Leroy'
Taverner: Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas - Gloria
Gesualdo: Ave, dulcissima Maria
Taverner: Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas - Credo
Gesualdo: Ave, regina caelorum
Taverner: Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas - Sanctus
Gesualdo: Maria, mater gratiae
Taverner: Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas - Agnus dei

Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips (conductor)

The Tallis Scholars are the choral group who, arguably, have done more than any other in this country to bring the sacred Renaissance masterpieces of the Golden Age back to life. In their 40th anniversary season they perform music by a composer who himself has an anniversary - Carlo Gesualdo, born 400 years ago this year. This 16th-century Neapolitan prince, notoriously, murdered his wife and her lover when he caught them in flagrante, and then - the story goes - spent the rest of his life in seclusion, atoning for this act of violence by composing a stream of sacred works whose highly-charged emotional expression shed a light on his own tortured state of mind. Alongside this intense, mannered music, a gloriously radiant setting of the mass by the English Tudor composer John Taverner - founding choirmaster of what is now Christ Church, Oxford, before falling from grace in the wake of his master - Cardinal Wolsey.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This superb choir always sounds as though it is made up of much younger singers than those portrayed on the photographs. I know that's an ageist comment, but it isn't meant to be.

[doversoul1]

One of those wonderful late night proms. Tonight 10.15 pm.

They don’t look that old to me (I know it’s all relative )

http://www.thetallisscholars.co.uk/

[Old Grumpy]

Yep - lining up for this one

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Stunning.

[DracoM]

I know I must be stuck in some ancient place, but I find it really difficult to hear applause after items when the repertoire is of a sacred nature. Maybe at the very end? I've heard a number of totally fantastic pieces of singing by choirs and you wonder how on earth the officiating clergy can get a word out at all let alone lapse into holy drone and empty platitudes, but in terms of a CONCERT.......tricky.

Yes, of course the Tallis Scholars are of a stunning proficiency, and that was fine music.

[doversoul1]

I am trying to listen to this on iPlayer but the screen flickers alarmingly. Has anyone else had the same problem? There is no problem with Tuesday’s TTN. Can I ignore it and carry on listening?

[ed] by the screen, I mean the image in the box of iPlayer and not the screen of my PC.

[BBMmk2]

I am catching up on other Proms bur not encountered any, thus far, Dover.

[DracoM]

I am trying to listen to this on iPlayer but the screen flickers alarmingly. Has anyone else had the same problem? There is no problem with Tuesday’s TTN. Can I ignore it and carry on listening?

[ed] by the screen, I mean the image in the box of iPlayer and not the screen of my PC.

DS, not getting any probs on iPlayer in my neck of the woods.

[doversoul1]

Thank you, BBM and DracoM. I’ve tried it now but it’s still the same. It seems to be something to do with the proms broadcast, as the other proms have the same problems. Bother…

[Old Grumpy]

Thank you, BBM and DracoM. I’ve tried it now but it’s still the same. It seems to be something to do with the proms broadcast, as the other proms have the same problems. Bother…

Is it working now Dovers? I have seen your thread on the techie board. I usually use the Schedule page and then having chosen the broadcast, listen in a "pop-out player". I have not had any problems such as you describe.

Is it not possible just to listen to it, without having the distraction of the screen?

OG

[doversoul1]

Is it working now Dovers? I have seen your thread on the techie board. I usually use the Schedule page and then having chosen the broadcast, listen in a "pop-out player". I have not had any problems such as you describe.

Is it not possible just to listen to it, without having the distraction of the screen?

OG

Thank you for your concern, OG. Yes, I suppose I could ‘minimise’ the screen and just listen, but it will worry me knowing that my PC is doing something weird. It certainly looks as if the problem is in my system. Oh dear…

I don’t think I need to ask you if you enjoyed the Tallis Scholars

[Old Grumpy]

I don’t think I need to ask you if you enjoyed the Tallis Scholars

No, you don't - but thanks for asking anyway!

[jean]

They don’t look that old to me (I know it’s all relative )
http://www.thetallisscholars.co.uk/

But the image on the iPlayer screen shows at least one singer who was around at the time of David Wulstan and the Clerkes of Oxenford, and you know how long ago that was.

(Actually they are singing at almost Clerkes of Oxenford pitch...amazing!)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But the image on the iPlayer screen shows at least one singer who was around at the time of David Wulstan and the Clerkes of Oxenford, and you know how long ago that was.

One voice that sadly (oh, so sadly) is not still singing with the Tallis Scholars:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/tessa-bonner-soprano-who-sang-with-the-tallis-scholars-for-more-than-25-years-1488588.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KxdBiNp2vU&list=PLDE05B05C905BB23C&index=1