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Track(s) taken from CDGIM015

Maria, mater gratiae

composer
author of text

The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips (conductor)
Recording details: Unknown
The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Salle, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Produced by Steve C Smith & Peter Phillips
Engineered by Mike Clements
Release date: November 1987
Total duration: 3 minutes 42 seconds

Cover artwork: The Deposition. Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) (1571-1610)
Pinacoteca Vaticana, Rome / Bridgeman Images
 

Reviews

‘Gesualdo's Tenebrae Responsories have been recorded twice before, once by a full choir, once by solo voices. Of the three versions I should not hesitate to choose this new one by The Tallis Scholars, since they alone cope adequately with the chromatic shifts, the awkward tunings and the virtuosic leaps and runs … in its controlled fashion, however, the choir give a refreshingly lucid account of the notes, distinguishing the sub-sections from one another with plenty of variety. Better than the Responsories to my mind are the four more sober Marian Motets at the end of the record, which suit The Tallis Scholars rather better’ (Gramophone)

‘Conveying intensity through restraint is what the Tallis Scholars have been doing so wonderfully these past 40 years’ (The Daily Telegraph)
This motet from Gesualdo’s 1603 publication sets a well-known medieval verse addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It asks for her protection at the hour of death.

from notes by John Milsom © 2013

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