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Program: #07-47 Air Date: Nov 12, 2007
In another new release, Stephen Darlington directs the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford in the beautiful and influential mass that gave the "In Nomine" tune to generations of English instrumental composers.
Preservation of this program is made possible by a generous grant from Paul and Marilyn Kobulnicky.
NOTE: All of the music on this program comes from a recording featuring the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford directed by Stephen Darlington on the Avie label — you may find out more from
And for more from the Choir itself:
About this recording, the Choir writes:
John Taverner's Mass is generally regarded as his finest work which shows complete mastery of structure and polyphony in six parts. It is the first of the eleven mass settings in the Forrest-Heyther part-books, almost certainly collected together for use in Wolsey's chapel. The recording is the first to use the original forces of men and boys as envisaged by the composer.
John Taverner, the most outstanding English composer of his time, was appointed Informator Choristarum of Cardinal College, Oxford in 1526, with the charge of establishing the foremost choral institution in the land. He succeeded magnificently and the tradition continues to this day at what is now known as Christ Church, Oxford, with acclaimed director Stephen Darlington, renowned for his strength in 16th century choral music, at the helm. Darlington and his forces — 16 boys and 12 men, unchanged since the 1520s — pay homage to their predecessor with a programme of his liturgical music written at Oxford. While there, Taverner had to write music to be performed virtually round the clock and he rose to the challenge using great imagination. He wrote innumerable memorable melodies, with an unprecedented emotional range and a sophisticated sense of drama. His music was astonishingly modern for its time, and in its richness remains much so today.
John Taverner: Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas
(Avie CD AV2123)
- Anon.: Gloria tibi Trinitas ("Glory to you, co-equal Trinity").
- Anon.: Kyrie: Deus creator omnium ("O God, creator of all things").
- JOHN TAVERNER (c.1490-1545): Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas
- TAVERNER: Mater Christi sanctissima ("Most holy Mother of Christ").
- TAVERNER: Dum transisset Sabbatum ("When the Sabbath was over").
- TAVERNER: O Wilhelme ("O William, thou good shepherd") — for St. William of York.
Composer Info
JOHN TAVERNER (c.1490-1545),
CD Info
Avie CD AV2123
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