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THOMAS TALLIS (c1505-1585) |
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Writer Information |
Tallis was a church organist and composer, whose work spanned a wide period in English church music. He was born c1505 probably in Leicestershire and died in Greenwich Nov. 23, 1585. There is no record of his childhood. He was organist at Waltham Abbey until that foundation dissolved, organist and lay clerk at Canterbury Cathedral. Tallis then was employed as organist and composer at the Chapel Royal, over the course of four monarchs, until his death. There he survived, evidently without being persecuted, the changes in monarchies and changes of state religion between Protestantism and Catholicism. He was of the first to write for the new Church of England liturgy. Because of the changes in the state religion, Tallis set both Latin and English texts and also composed anthems, service music, some instrumental pieces, and some secular music. His vocal polyphony earned him respect and for awhile he quite well off. At the Chapel Royal, Tallis worked with his younger colleague, William Byrd. The two of them asked the Queen for additional funds, and she granted them in 1575 an exclusive license to print and publish music -- the first of its kind in England. The popularity of psalm singing prompted Tallis to write the nine psalm tunes. The ninth appears in the LBW as "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night" no. 278 (Tallis' Canon). Tallis was described in his epitaph as humble and unassuming and one who avoided religious conflict. He was much respected by four monarchs and by succeeding generations of church musicians.
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Tunes by Thomas Tallis: |
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