It really is one of the most inspired pieces I've ever had the privilege to hear. I never forgot seeing the Cardiff exhibit at the Tate Liverpool. It's an aural meditation and it really does move like water, and gives a sense of the divine.
I really enjoyed the history lesson too! Many years ago I visited Arundel Castle so it was lovely to hear that there is a connection. I was under the impression that this motet was written for the birth of Elizabeth I so I was fascinated to hear the theory in your article. Thank you so much for this, Michael, and as always I love the illustrations.
I remember us discussing the Cardiff exhibition in a Dialectic comment thread several months ago! So happy to revisit that experience with you here. I loved sitting with my memories of the exhibition in preparing this essay — more than a decade later and the feelings of awe and longing are just as potent. 💙
And aren't the twists and turns in the work's history just fascinating? If only Nonsuch Palace still existed so this piece could be programmed in its original environs!
Ah, the Cloisters. Ah, Tallis. Thank you for making my day, Michael. it's wonderful how a 468-year-old piece of choral polyphony can still inspire such, as you say, "nourishing calm".
I stumbled across Forty-Part Motet for the first time at the National Gallery of Canada some years ago. I've never forgotten it - you could hear the different threads of the piece being woven together, tighter and tighter into whole and perfect sound. It felt like the music was inside and outside you at the same time. Magnificent!
Thanks for sharing your experience of the installation, Iris. I love your description of feeling the music “inside and outside you at the same time” — it really does feel like you’re absorbing the sound and being transformed at a cellular level!
Oh Michael!!! I don’t even know where to begin! As you know I just LOVE *anything* polyphonic choral. This piece… it renders one speechless. That 4:30-5 section… it feels like I’m flying atop a giant eagle at dawn over a sheer cliff. There’s nothing like it!! But then to read your gorgeous experience at the Cloisters and the chapel. I didn’t want your story to end! I’ve only ever read about the Cloisters in novels and refuse to look at photos because one day I hope to see it for the first time in person. To just stumble into something like Cardiff’s installation in the Chapel would just put me right over that cliff edge!! Meanwhile the English history?!? I’m just fascinated!! My mom recently spent an afternoon teaching my sister and me about all of the monarchs (a perfect Mother’s Day gift if you knew her!) so this mystery about Tallis is just juicy!! You better believe I’ll be sharing this post with her! I also watched the 2020 performances and those other pieces are mystical too, especially Ave Verum Corpus Re-Imagined… my heart, haunting!! I love how it sounds both ancient and futuristic. Thank you for this!! I keep saying “this is my favorite essay” and then you go and top yourself 💙🥰
Oh, Katie — I LOVE the imagery you’ve created for this music. Hearing the installation in that hallowed space at the Cloisters really was like standing atop a cliff, feeling the expanse of the world around you. Music as superpower!
And thank you for the kind words about “topping myself.” After sending an essay out into the world, it takes me a while to work up the courage to read it again and assess its qualities objectively. To have your praise and support in the interim means so much, and helps to quiet the lingering self-criticisms. 💙
While I know what you mean about giving a piece another read after it’s officially published (through the small slits of my fingers!), nope, you have nothing to worry about! In fact, I dare say your words are like a fine wine 😉
All the politics, history, and even 'strategy' are amazing. Fantastic they way you're able to weave them together in this story. These invisible layers are what you make so incredibly vivid and clear, Michael.
Thanks, Michael. As usual, it was an insightful and inspiring piece. I confess that I've got to catch up on my reading of your newsletter. One thing I was curious about though: I notice you include links to YT recordings of the pieces you discuss. Any concerns about copyright? I ask because I've been wondering if I could do something similar.
I include YT recordings since it removes a barrier to entry for anyone who can't afford a streaming service. (On top of the fact that those streaming services have become increasingly hostile to artists when it comes to royalties and discovery.)
In all but a few cases where an officially licensed YT video wasn't available, I always make sure to select the video released on the artist or their label's official channel. Hope that helps!
I've loved this piece forever. Favourite recording is the Winchester Cathedral Choir with David Hill (on Hyperion).
Thanks for sharing, Kerie — that's a great recording as well!
Incredible
Glad you enjoyed, David!
It really is one of the most inspired pieces I've ever had the privilege to hear. I never forgot seeing the Cardiff exhibit at the Tate Liverpool. It's an aural meditation and it really does move like water, and gives a sense of the divine.
I really enjoyed the history lesson too! Many years ago I visited Arundel Castle so it was lovely to hear that there is a connection. I was under the impression that this motet was written for the birth of Elizabeth I so I was fascinated to hear the theory in your article. Thank you so much for this, Michael, and as always I love the illustrations.
I remember us discussing the Cardiff exhibition in a Dialectic comment thread several months ago! So happy to revisit that experience with you here. I loved sitting with my memories of the exhibition in preparing this essay — more than a decade later and the feelings of awe and longing are just as potent. 💙
And aren't the twists and turns in the work's history just fascinating? If only Nonsuch Palace still existed so this piece could be programmed in its original environs!
Yes, I was so looking forward to this article! You've managed to encompass the music and its history with such elegance. What a joy. 💙
Ah, the Cloisters. Ah, Tallis. Thank you for making my day, Michael. it's wonderful how a 468-year-old piece of choral polyphony can still inspire such, as you say, "nourishing calm".
Isn’t that such a magical phenomenon to behold? Thanks for being here, and I’m so glad this music and this essay resonated with you. 💙
I stumbled across Forty-Part Motet for the first time at the National Gallery of Canada some years ago. I've never forgotten it - you could hear the different threads of the piece being woven together, tighter and tighter into whole and perfect sound. It felt like the music was inside and outside you at the same time. Magnificent!
Thanks for sharing your experience of the installation, Iris. I love your description of feeling the music “inside and outside you at the same time” — it really does feel like you’re absorbing the sound and being transformed at a cellular level!
Oh Michael!!! I don’t even know where to begin! As you know I just LOVE *anything* polyphonic choral. This piece… it renders one speechless. That 4:30-5 section… it feels like I’m flying atop a giant eagle at dawn over a sheer cliff. There’s nothing like it!! But then to read your gorgeous experience at the Cloisters and the chapel. I didn’t want your story to end! I’ve only ever read about the Cloisters in novels and refuse to look at photos because one day I hope to see it for the first time in person. To just stumble into something like Cardiff’s installation in the Chapel would just put me right over that cliff edge!! Meanwhile the English history?!? I’m just fascinated!! My mom recently spent an afternoon teaching my sister and me about all of the monarchs (a perfect Mother’s Day gift if you knew her!) so this mystery about Tallis is just juicy!! You better believe I’ll be sharing this post with her! I also watched the 2020 performances and those other pieces are mystical too, especially Ave Verum Corpus Re-Imagined… my heart, haunting!! I love how it sounds both ancient and futuristic. Thank you for this!! I keep saying “this is my favorite essay” and then you go and top yourself 💙🥰
Oh, Katie — I LOVE the imagery you’ve created for this music. Hearing the installation in that hallowed space at the Cloisters really was like standing atop a cliff, feeling the expanse of the world around you. Music as superpower!
And thank you for the kind words about “topping myself.” After sending an essay out into the world, it takes me a while to work up the courage to read it again and assess its qualities objectively. To have your praise and support in the interim means so much, and helps to quiet the lingering self-criticisms. 💙
While I know what you mean about giving a piece another read after it’s officially published (through the small slits of my fingers!), nope, you have nothing to worry about! In fact, I dare say your words are like a fine wine 😉
Just gorgeous!
All the politics, history, and even 'strategy' are amazing. Fantastic they way you're able to weave them together in this story. These invisible layers are what you make so incredibly vivid and clear, Michael.
Thanks so much, Kathleen — both the music and the stories around it make for a wild ride, indeed! 💙
Met Cloisters is on my list now! Prioritized for this month. Thank you for sharing
Yay! I hope you love your experience there, Connie. Please report back! 💙
Beautiful.
Thank you, Dennis. 🙏🏼 (And lovely to see your name come across my screen!)
Thanks, Michael. As usual, it was an insightful and inspiring piece. I confess that I've got to catch up on my reading of your newsletter. One thing I was curious about though: I notice you include links to YT recordings of the pieces you discuss. Any concerns about copyright? I ask because I've been wondering if I could do something similar.
I include YT recordings since it removes a barrier to entry for anyone who can't afford a streaming service. (On top of the fact that those streaming services have become increasingly hostile to artists when it comes to royalties and discovery.)
In all but a few cases where an officially licensed YT video wasn't available, I always make sure to select the video released on the artist or their label's official channel. Hope that helps!
Yes, that does help. Thanks Michael. I hope you had a good summer.