Spem in alium

E764563

Spem in alium is a renowned 40-part Renaissance motet by English composer Thomas Tallis, celebrated for its intricate polyphony and monumental choral texture.

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Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Renaissance composition
choral work
motet
approximateCompositionDate circa 1570
approximateDuration about 10 minutes
associatedComposer Thomas Tallis NERFINISHED
composer Thomas Tallis NERFINISHED
countryOfOrigin England
culturalImpact frequently performed by advanced amateur and professional choirs worldwide
famousRecording The King’s Singers and The WDR Rundfunkchor recording of Spem in alium NERFINISHED
The Sixteen recording of Spem in alium NERFINISHED
The Tallis Scholars recording of Spem in alium NERFINISHED
genre Renaissance polyphony
sacred music
hasCatalogueNumber Tallis Spem in alium (no standard opus number) NERFINISHED
historicalContext English Reformation era
late Tudor period
influenced modern choral repertoire for large forces
keyCharacteristic alternation of full 40-part texture and smaller groupings
climactic homophonic passages
large-scale imitative entries
language Latin
liturgicalUse devotional performance
non-liturgical concert performance
notableArrangement arrangements for double choir and organ reduction
notableFeature 40-part polyphony
intricate contrapuntal writing
surround-sound spatial choir arrangement
notableReception regarded as one of the greatest achievements of Renaissance choral music
numberOfVoices 40
performancePractice often performed a cappella
often performed with choirs surrounding the audience
period Renaissance NERFINISHED
scoringDetail each choir typically SATBB
structure single continuous movement
subjectMatter divine mercy
trust in God
textOpening Spem in alium nunquam habui NERFINISHED
textSource Sarum rite responsory for Matins of Trinity Sunday
titleTranslation Hope in any other
I have never put my hope in any other
vocalForces eight choirs of five voices each
voiceDistribution alto
baritone
bass
soprano
tenor

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Thomas Tallis notableWork Spem in alium