“…as near extraterrestrial as you can get sitting in a concert hall…” The Observer

“The sound coming from the Tallis Scholars almost surpassed the humanly possible…” The Telegraph

On Thursday 6 November 2014, 8pm, the National Concert Hall welcomes the award-winning Tallis Scholars to perform the opening concert of the National Concert Hall’s Choral Series 14/15 when Irish audiences will be treated to a programme of choral gems from Byrd to Arvo Pärt, Tippet to Tavener as well as Eric Whitacre’s Saint -Chapelle written especially for their 40th anniversary celebrations. 

Together with their director Peter Philips they have done more than any other group to establish sacred vocal music of the Renaissance as one of the great repertoires of Western Classical music.

During their 40th Anniversary World Tour (in 2013) they sang at 99 events, in 80 different venues, in 16 countries, 14 of which were broadcast on radio. They stayed in 57 hotels, took 25 train journeys and covered 105,727 air-miles during 68 flights. They also celebrated with two commissions from Gabriel Jackson and Eric Whitacre, released a number of CDs, and performed a celebratory concert of Tallis’ Spem in alium in St Paul’s Cathedral, London in March 2013.

They have established themselves as the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music throughout the world, having performed over 1760 concerts, stayed six weeks at number 1 in the US Specialist Classical Album Chart and recorded a catalogue of award-winning CDs and DVDs. 

The Tallis Scholars’ career highlights have included a tour of China in 1999, including two concerts in Beijing; and the privilege of performing in the Sistine Chapel in April 1994 to mark the final stage of the complete restoration of the Michelangelo frescoes, broadcast simultaneously on Italian and Japanese television. The ensemble have commissioned many contemporary composers during their history: in 1998 they celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a special concert in London’s National Gallery, premiering a Sir John Tavener work written for the group and narrated by Sting. A further performance was given with Sir Paul McCartney in New York in 2000. The Tallis Scholars are broadcast regularly on radio (including performances from the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in 2007, 2008 and 2011) and have also been featured on the acclaimed ITV programme The Southbank Show.

Critics have praised the supple clarity and tone of their vocal lines as the group have sought to bring Renaissance repertoire to a wider audience in churches, cathedrals and venues on every continent on the planet (except Antarctica).

The group continue to develop their exclusive sound and bring fresh interpretations to modern composers such as Pärt, Tavener, Whitacre and Jackson.

PROGRAMME 

Byrd Laudibus in sanctis
Des Prez Absalon, fili mi
Gombert Lugebat David Absalon
Byrd Ave verum corpus
Byrd Tribue, Domine
Eric Whitacre Sainte-Chapelle
Tippett Plebs Angelica
Tavener Funeral Ikos
Arvo Pärt Magnificat
Arvo Pärt Nunc Dimittis

Tickets: €30, €40, €45, €50 (Choir Balcony €25)
National Concert Hall Box Office Tel: 01 417 00 00 or www.nch.ie