Customer Reviews

Sarum Chant: Missa in gallicantu

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I own a number of recordings by the Tallis Scholars, but this one, for me, eclipses all the rest. The rich, sonorous voices and the measured cadence of the chant produce a deep, soothing performance of the Midnight Mass. The Latin is that of the Sarum (English) Rite, so it sounds a little different from what you'd hear elsewhere -- for example, "caelum" is pronounced "say-lum", not "chay-lum". If you enjoy Gregorian chant, this work belongs in your collection.

--Sarum Use--
The term 'sarum use' refers to the practices, musically and liturgically, of Salisbury Cathedral, which was during much of the church life in England one of the leading lights in liturgical development; established variations to the Roman rite, translated into the Anglican church, the Sarum Rites and Usages are popular variations worldwide. Modern plainsong in Anglican churches often takes the Sarum rather than Gregorian form of melodies, which are simpler in significant ways. This is a very English sound.

--Missa in gallicantu--
This mass is sung as the first mass of Christmas according to the Sarum rite. It has fourteen movements here, including the lectionary reading from Isaiah intoned by two singers, one who does the reading, and the other who interpolating sections. Also included here are the sung Creed and communion pieces.

--Sarum hymns--
This disc includes four hymns for Christmas Offices - Christe redemptor omnium, from Matins; veni redemptor gentium, from Vespers; Salvator mundi, Domine, from Compline; and A solis ortus cardine from Lauds. These are well known tunes for plainchant, often used for with other words in other settings.

--Liner Notes--
Being internationally acclaimed, the Tallis Scholars' CDs typically present their commentary and texts in English, French, German and Italian (together with any Latin texts, including the text of the mass); that is true of this disc. The cover art also typically represents visual arts contemporary with the compositions - the piece used here is an illumination from the Copenhagen psalter of the Three Magi.

--The Tallis Scholars--
The Tallis Scholars, a favourite group of mine since the first time I heard them decades ago, are a group dedicated to the performance and preservation of the best of this type of music. A choral group of exceptional ability, I have been privileged to see them many times in public, and at almost every performance, their singing seems almost like a spiritual epiphany for me, one that defies explanation in words. Directed by Peter Phillips, the group consists of a small number of male and female singers who have trained themselves well to their task.

Their recordings are of a consistent quality that deserve more than five stars; this particular disc of pieces of sarum chant deserves a place on the shelf of anyone who loves choral music, liturgical music or Gregorian chant, classical music generally, or religious music. It is astonishing. The music on this disc was originally recorded in 1988.