Album Description

Music for the Tudors - Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, John Sheppard

Sixteenth-century England was a place of much religious change. It was a dangerous and confusing time as Henry VIII, who had split with Rome, was succeeded by his young son Edward VI, then by the ardent Catholic, Mary Tudor, and finally by the Protestant, Elizabeth I. Composers of the day, such as William Byrd, John Sheppard and Thomas Tallis, were required to adapt to rapidly changing musical requirements and it is testament to their incredible skill and musical mastery that they produced such magnificent works in such troubled times. At the heart of this programme are Sheppard’s monumental Media vita in morte sumus and Byrd’s deeply personal setting of Infelix ego. Set amongst these exceptional masterpieces are Byrd’s joyful motetsLaudibus in sanctis and Haec dies, and one of the gems of this recording - Tallis’s Miserere nostri.

Artists

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers

Track Listing

Plainchant: 
1. Veni, Creator Spiritus

William Byrd (c.1540-1623)
2. Laudibus in sanctis 

John Sheppard (d.1559?) 
3.Sacris solemniis iuncta sint gaudia

Thomas Tallis (c.1505-1585)
4. Jesu Salvator saeculi, Verbum Patris

John Sheppard
5. Media vita in morte sumus 

Thomas Tallis
6. Miserere nostri 

William Byrd
7. Domine, praestolamur 

Thomas Tallis
8. Iam Christus astra ascenderat 

William Byrd
9. Haec dies 

William Byrd
10. Infelix ego

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 75.48