motet notes - Tallis

The life of Thomas Tallis is a mirror of the musical effects of the Anglican Reformation in England. He served in the Chapel Royal for some 40 years, composing under four Monarchs with widely differing religious practices.  Tallis was among the first to set English words to music for the rites of the Church of England, although most of his vocal music was written in Latin. A composer of great contrapuntal skill, his works show intense expressivity and are cast in a bewildering variety of styles.

A New Commandment is cast in ABB form, the second section repeated twice. The use of the word ‘commandment’ was especially important during the reign of King Edward VI (1547-1553) as it was seen to reinforce the exhortation to godly living that was now explicit as a result of the Bible being read in English and a greater emphasis on preaching and teaching. Tallis produces a beautiful four-part miniature that achieves clarity of text; while at the same time tastefully indulges in a modicum of melismatic material.  

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