Tallis Spem in alium

“I’m fascinated by polyphony,” says director Bill Chin. “There’s a musical dialogue that unfolds within the ensemble. Sometimes it’s in the text they’re singing; but oftentimes, it’s in a musical idea that’s shared between the singers. It’s exciting to experience.” 

The program’s centerpiece will be the magnificent Spem in alium (c. 1570) by Thomas Tallis. A masterpiece for 40 voices in 8 choirs, the rarely performed motet is considered one of the greatest examples of English Renaissance music. Listeners will be treated to an immersive experience: the singers will encircle the audience, with Chin conducting from the center – a formation that Tallis likely used in his own time. “Encountering the music in this way enhances the experience for everyone involved,” Chin explains. “You’ll be able to hear musical ideas traveling around the choir.”

The work inspired Jaako Mäntyjärvi to write his haunting Tentatio (2006/2013), also on the program, in which the composer deploys those same 40 voices in unconventional, powerful harmonies. The concert will also feature Gregorio Allegri’s solemn Miserere (1638), Gustav Holst’s celestial Ave Maria (1900), and J. S. Bach’s Singet dem Herrn (c.1727) for double choir.

Finally, the elegiac Past Life Melodies (1991) by Sarah Hopkins will incorporate overtone singing, evoking an otherworldly sound. “The piece conveys a message without words,” says Chin. “It is as much about the experience for the singer as it is for the listener. It’s about being in the moment.”

Come experience this transcendent Renaissance “surround sound”!