Tallis Scholars
While Shepherds Watched
Peter Phillips, director
CLEMENS NON PAPA | Pastores quidnam vidistis? Missa Pastores quidnam vidistis |
VICTORIA | Quem vidistis, pastores? |
DE CRISTO | Quaeramus cum pastoribus |
CROCE | Quaeramus cum pastoribus |
OBRECHT | Salve regina |
PHILIPS | Salve regina |
ENCORE: | |
MOUTON | Salva nos, domine |
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).