Thomas Tallis

About

English composer of the Renaissance period (1505 – 23 November 1585). Tallis flourished as a church musician in 16th century England and is considered among the best of its earliest composers. Tallis has been said to be one of the most important composers of his time and is honored for his original voice in English musicianship. His style encompassed the simple Reformation service music and the great Continental polyphonic schools whose influence he was largely responsible for introducing into English music. Tallis wrote Latin church music and also contributed to the reformed English liturgy, in some cases adapting earlier Latin compositions. One of his most remarkable achievements is the 40-voice "Spem in alium." His setting of the Latin Holy Week liturgy Lamentations represents his work at its height. The composer’s name is widely known through the metrical psalm tune generally called ‘Tallis’s Canon’, a setting of God, grant we grace.