Choir of New College, Oxford - Spem in Alium(Tallis)

The original Latin text of the motet is from a response (at Matins, for the 3rd Lesson, during the V week of September), in the Sarum Rite, adapted from the Book of Judith. Today the response appears in the Divine Office of the Latin rite in the Office of Readings (formerly called Matins) following the first lesson on Tuesday of the 29th Week of the Year.

Spem in alium numquam habui praeter in te
Deus Israel
qui irasceris
et propitius eris
et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis
Domine Deus
Creator coeli et terrae
respice humilitatem nostram

Spem in alium is a forty-part Renaissance motet by Thomas Tallis, composed circa 1570 for eight choirs of five voices each. The sacred text has been used as a basis for other choral settings, such as a 4-part setting by Colebault and the Mass by Palestrina based on it. However, the Tallis setting is by far the most famous. Along with Gregorio Allegri's 'Miserere' this piece by Tallis is regarded as one of the pinnacles of Renaissance Polyphony.(Wikipedia)

http://www.newcollegechoir.com/discography-list.html

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[kpbarrow]

Very beautiful. I heard a few choirs (including New College Choir) sing it live, I don't think any recording can fully capture this piece as it is particularly diminished by the recording process. I remember one performance where the choirmaster arranged the chorister's positions and the most incredible "stereo" effects came about, notes sweeping left to right and back again parts crossing over, it was truly hypnotic.

[treblechoir99]

@kpbarrow Wow I sure great experience. Thank you.

[longeaton34]

@AlainNaigeon This isn't a multi-track recording, but King's Singers have done it multi-track and its absolutely wonderful - you must listen. I have heard New College do this live as well and a live experience is far better than a recording. This is a great posting, thank you.

[treblechoir99]

@longeaton34 Thank you for this explication

[hyphenreid]

@kpbarrow It touches the Godhead. Wonderful!

[bmarcob1]

The motet "Spem in alium ..." will be presented Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the Parish Church of S. Maria Assunta in Tassullo, Val di Non, Trentino. At 19:45 the presentation of the motet, at 20.30, concert with the participation of the Val di Non Monteverdi Choir, Choir Eclectica of Bologna, Bologna Chamber Choir, Orchestra and harpist Paola Blumine Perrucci. The motet "Spem in alium ..." will be interpreted by the combined choirs.

[bmarcob1]

Il mottetto "Spem in alium..." verrà presentato domenica 7 novembre 2010 presso la Chiesa Parrocchiale S.Maria Assunta a Tassullo, Val di Non, Trentino. Alle ore 19.45 presentazione del mottetto, alle ore 20.30, concerto con la partecipazione della Corale Monteverdi della Val di Non, del Coro Eclectica di Bologna, del Coro da Camera di Bologna, dell'Orchestra Blumine e dell'arpista Paola Perrucci. Il mottetto "Spem in alium..." verrà interpretato dai cori uniti.

[ejfis]

gebietet Ehrfurcht vor der erhabenen Schönheit

[hiroshi2020]

@pjdonagh

I saw it :) It is absolutely splendid! The video, and the music. It is absolutely beautiful, is it not? Thanks! God Bless!

[pjdonagh]

@hiroshi2020 Try You Tube channel SaintHelvis and a clip entitled Storm July 25 2009 where it is used as the sound track for some dramatic coverage of a thunder storm. The uploader gives the recording date as 1937 but I believe this to be wrong and that the date is 1963.