Post by Slinger on Jan 3, 2016 1:01:04 GMT
#11 - THOMAS TALLIS: AUDIVI VOCEM (CHRISTMAS MASS)
Thomas Tallis’s “Audivi Vocem de Caelo” draws its text from Matthew 25:6-7. The text is deeply Advent-themed, describing the coming of the “bridegroom,” Jesus.
Tallis also does an excellent job of capturing the idea that many people are anticipating the coming of the bridegroom. The four parts are essentially singing the same thing, but with a round. The alto part starts spreading the message first, and one by one the other parts pick it up, just as one messenger would begin spreading the word about the coming of the bridegroom, only to have others catch on and spread it as well.
The quartet sections, then, are more anticipatory, with messengers spreading the “good news.” Meanwhile, the chant sections are more preparatory. The men, who would have been the church leaders, sing about the preparations needed for the coming of the bridegroom. Alternating between the chant and quartet sections gives us a good look at how commoners and clergy would have responded to the news.
Thomas Tallis’s “Audivi Vocem de Caelo” draws its text from Matthew 25:6-7. The text is deeply Advent-themed, describing the coming of the “bridegroom,” Jesus.
Tallis also does an excellent job of capturing the idea that many people are anticipating the coming of the bridegroom. The four parts are essentially singing the same thing, but with a round. The alto part starts spreading the message first, and one by one the other parts pick it up, just as one messenger would begin spreading the word about the coming of the bridegroom, only to have others catch on and spread it as well.
The quartet sections, then, are more anticipatory, with messengers spreading the “good news.” Meanwhile, the chant sections are more preparatory. The men, who would have been the church leaders, sing about the preparations needed for the coming of the bridegroom. Alternating between the chant and quartet sections gives us a good look at how commoners and clergy would have responded to the news.
