Celebrating 50 years this season, the peerless Tallis Scholars return to Berkeley with a gorgeous holiday program that views the Christmas story from the perspective of the shepherds who came to worship at the manger. The concert revolves around Who did you see, Shepherds?, a mass by Flemish composer Clemens non Papa, its five movements dispersed between similar text settings by other masters from the late Renaissance. Also on the program is a magnificent double choir motet by Giovanni Croce, and two sublime settings of the Salve regina by Obrecht and Philips. Masters of Renaissance polyphony, the Tallis Scholars are at the height of their powers, having recently won both the BBC Music Magazine’s Recording of the Year Award and the Gramophone Early Music Award. “Tonal purity, articulation, ensemble spirit: everything here is sheer perfection…. Phillips’ unaccompanied voices bring passion and warmth to every note” (The Times, London).

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Tallis Scholars

First Congregational Church

The esteemed Tallis Scholars return for their annual appearance with a program celebrating the Christmas season through exploration of Gregorian chant. The gorgeous program explores the history of this sacred tradition through three different styles: the conventional chant, the interpretation by the 12th-century abbess Hildegard of Bingen, and Arvo Pärt’s reimagining of it.

The Tallis Scholars

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

The most traditional way to celebrate Christmas is to turn to Gregorian chant. The Tallis Scholars do this in three different styles: the interpretation of it by the 12th century abbess Hildegard of Bingen (these are her own compositions); the living Gregorian tradition as shown in settings of the Salve regina and Nunc dimittis, and as adapted in the medieval popular song In dulci jubilo; and Arvo Pärt’s reimagining of this tradition, partly in the Orthodox view. In particular there is his Da pacem, where the alto voice quotes a whole chant melody, running from start to finish of the piece. For a thousand years, chant represented all there was of ‘classical’ music. And it remains second to none in evoking the atmosphere of the great feast days.

Jacob Obrecht

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 5, 2024

The Tallis Scholars · Miller Theatre

Dec 19, 2024

In Dulci Jubilo · Sinfonia Smith Square

Past events

Dec 13, 2023

Tallis Scholars · Cal Performances

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