Thomas Tallis Research Paper

Thomas Tallis was one of England’s main composers of Medieval church music. He lived during the Tudor period of England, a time of which the national religious stance swung back and forth from Protestant to Catholic due to the various monarchs that held the throne. As a matter of fact, Tallis saw 5 different monarchs hold and pass on the throne during his life. But even if Tallis was a true Catholic, he possessed the skill to compose music to suit whomever his liege was. During his lifetime, he contributed over 30 compositions to the English church, and is thus considered one of the country’s best composers of Medieval church music.[Wikipedia] Tallis was born sometime around 1505, in what historians theorize to be Kent. He may have been a choirboy of the Chapel Royal when he was …show more content…
His music has been described to have a moody and reflective quality. Tallis’ music stood out because it was unlike the Cornish or Madrigal music found commonly in his time.[Hickey, p2] It also shows his vast knowledge of music and its technical skill. For example, his crowning achievement, the polyphonic (meaning containing multiple simultaneous melodies) Spem Alium, was made for 8 choirs, each consisting of 5 voices, for a total of 40 parts. Some other examples of his work include his Latin “Lamentation” motets and Masses.[Wikipedia] Thomas Tallis died peacefully in his home at Greenwich, in 1585. As his epitaph states: “As he did live, so also did he die, in mild and quiet sort (O happy man!); To God full oft for mercy did he cry, wherefore he lives, let death do what it can” [Hickey, p1].So although this genius’ mind had ceased to continue generating masterpieces, his works have retained their greatness to now. Today, Thomas Tallis and his apprentice William Byrd are celebrated with the feast day on November 21st of the Liturgical