Tallis, Thomas/Byrd, William/Sheppard, John: Ceremony & Devotion (Coro Audio CD)

To coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Choral Pilgrimage, Harry Christophers and The Sixteen return to the repertoire of Tudor England that made their first tour such a success.

Sixteenth-century England was a place of much religious change. It was a dangerous and confusing time as Henry VIII, who had split with Rome, was succeeded by his young son Edward VI, then by the ardent Catholic, Mary, and finally by the Protestant, Elizabeth I. Composers of the day, such as William Byrd, John Sheppard and Thomas Tallis, were required to adapt to rapidly changing musical requirements and it is testament to their incredible skill and musical mastery that they produced such magnificent works in such troubled times. At the heart of this programme are Sheppard’s monumental Media vita in morte sumus and Byrd’s deeply personal setting of Infelix ego. Set amongst these exceptional masterpieces are Byrd’s joyful motets Laudibus in sanctis and Haec dies, and one of the gems of this recording – Tallis’ Miserere nostri.

“Christopher’s choir, The Sixteen, is arguably the most visible professional choral ensemble in Britain” The Times (London)