October 7th: Thomas Tallis's "Spem in alium"

First off, here are the links to my lecture on Biblical Personhood and the power points from Wednesday's Class. There are some great quotes from Bruggemann that we didn't really get to in class, check it out! “

A few of you have asked about the choral piece that I played at the end of class on Wednesday. It is "Spem in Alium" by Thomas Tallis (c. 1570). Here is what Jeremy Begbie has to say about this piece: "Here forty different voices weave their way in and through each other…. Despite the sonic profusion, it never sounds ‘jammed’ or crowed. There is multiplicity without dissipation, togetherness without mutual overwhelming, each voice being enabled to become more fully itself: ‘As though being ourselves we’re more capacious.’" (Jeremy Begbie, "Through Music: Sound Mix," in Beholding the Glory, InterVarsity Press, 2000, 152.) Thanks, Jeremy. Great description!

Here is what they are singing:
I have never put my hope in another
except in you, God of Israel,
who will be angry yet become gracious.
And all the sins of man
in suffering you forgive.
Lord God, creator of heaven and earth:
look on our humility.

Here are a few videos of this piece from youtube.

Here is one that shows part of the score, with the Tallis Scholars singing:


Here is one with a slide show with images from all over Britain:


Here is one with the King Singers. The group sings each of the eight choir parts (40 voices in all). The video shows a bit of the complexity and breadth of this wonderful work:


Enjoy!
Chelle