This program was conceived in 1994 as a 50th birthday tribute to John Tavener, following a performance of his Ikon of Light alongside Tallis' Spem in alium at St Paul's Cathedral.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Tavener, a composer, aimed to create 'musical ikons' for a time when he believed 'man has lost his belief not only in God, but also in himself', questioning music's function and relevance.
Recording & Production
This album features the first-ever recording in surround sound, with Thomas Tallis' 40-part motet, Spem in alium, as its centerpiece.
Composer Biography
John Tavener, born in London in 1944, studied at the Royal Academy of Music and won several composition prizes, revealing himself as an original composer with the premiere of his cantata, The Whale (1968).
Composition History
An English version of Thomas Tallis' Spem in alium, titled Sing and glorify, was adapted for King James I to honor his son Henry, the newly-anointed Prince of Wales.
Interpretation
The English version of Spem in alium, Sing and glorify, uses cornetts, sackbuts, dulcians, and organs in place of some voices, offering a glorious complement to the original vocal version.
Album & Artwork
The album's theme, 'Music for Monarchs and Magnates', draws together music by composers like Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, and Thomas Tomkins, some of which has never been recorded or performed since its creation.
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