Taverner, Tallis, Byrd, and Gibbons
Exsultemus (www.exsultemus.org), an early music vocal ensemble, gave a concert today in Newton. The program was titled "Thomas Tallis and the Transformation of the English Liturgy" and included music by Taverner, Tallis, Byrd, and Gibbons under the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I, and James I.
The ensemble consists of eight voices. Some of the later pieces needed all eight. One piece was for ten voices, but there was enough alternating of the two choirs and doubling so they were able to cover everything by sharing the altos, who stood in the middle.
There was a beautiful, full sound, especially when all eight voices were singing.
The ensemble consists of eight voices. Some of the later pieces needed all eight. One piece was for ten voices, but there was enough alternating of the two choirs and doubling so they were able to cover everything by sharing the altos, who stood in the middle.
There was a beautiful, full sound, especially when all eight voices were singing.