Success at the BBC Proms for The Tallis Scholars
The Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips performed two 15th-century Masses by Jacob Obrecht and Josquin de Prez which were based on the chanson ‘Malheur me bat’. The original three-part chanson was also performed with specially commissioned words by Jacques Darras. Prom 8 of 76 has received outstanding reviews in the press, highlights of which are below:
The Financial Times
“……the Tallis Scholars under conductor Peter Phillips sang these slow-moving, luminous masses with impeccable blend and balance. Did anybody care that the last tube had just gone half way through the “Benedictus”? This is music where time stands still.”
Richard Fairman
The Guardian
“…outstandingly dispatched by the 16 singers."
Erica Jeal
The Times
“All change for the Tallis Scholars’ late-night Prom, where a crescent moon of 13 clear, unaccompanied voices lifted the spirits singing two late 15th-century European Masses. In olden days the Proms treated early music with tongs, as you might hot toast. Tuesday showed the benefits of immersion, with contrasting Masses from Obrecht and Josquin des Prez, linked by the haunting chanson Malheur me bat sung to a new French text. Des Prez’s Mass supplied the most polished musical mathematics. Obrecht’s, wilder, gave the most vivid and tender display of emotion. Peter Phillips’s group had the measure of both.”
Geoff Brown
MusicalCriticism.com
“Enthralling…”
“…This was an absorbing, mesmerising performance that demonstrated the sort of unity, nuance and interpretative grace that comes from years of close musical collaboration.”
“..they brought an effortless accuracy and power to the intricate climactic counterpoint of the final ‘Agnus Dei’. [Josquin]”
Stephen Graham
