JOHN TAVERNER  (c.1490 – 1545)

 

Taverner Missa Gloria Tibi Trinitas,

Christe Jesu, Mater Christi, Dum Transisset

 

1.         Cantus Firmus                            Recorded at the Chapel of Merton College, Oxford, England, 15 –17 November 2006

2.         Kyrie (Deus Creator plainsong)    Recording Producer: Jonathan Freeman-Attwood

3 - 7.    Missa Gloria tibi Trintas                           Balance Engineer: Simon Fox-Gál                                               

8.         Mater Christi                              Editing: Sebastian Schubert & Simon Fox-Gál                                           

9.         Dum Transisset Sabbatum                     

10.        O Wilhelme, pastor bone

 

Christ Church Cathedral Choir

Stephen Darlington, director

 

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.

 

The Choir of Christ Church Oxford has a special and distinctive place within the great English choral tradition as it uniquely serves both an Oxford college and a diocese. With an unbroken, continuous tradition of glorious music-making for nearly five hundred years, today the choir is renowned for its vibrant sound and artistic versatility, qualities that have been praised throughout the world from Sydney to Rio de Janiero, Tokyo to New York, Helsinki to Paris. Apart from their Oxford duties and international tours, the Choir has been heard by millions on the Mr. Bean soundtracks and Vicar of Dibley TV theme tune! 

 

critical acclaim Stephen Darlington and Christ Church Cathedral Choir

“There are special reasons for welcoming performances from Christ Church Cathedral Choir … vigour and freshness.” – Gramophone

 

“To hear a choir like this is to hear a quality of musicianship with no equal anywhere in the world.” – Independent on Sunday

 

“a fine example of how successful Stephen Darlington has been in producing a first rate choir” – MusicWeb

 

summary

John Taverner’s modern-day counterparts, Stephen Darlington and the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral pay homage to their predecessor with a programme of liturgical works written during the composer’s time in Oxford.

 

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