Thomas Tallis

John Harleys Thomas Tallis is the first full-length book to deal comprehensively with the composers life and works. Tallis entered the Chapel Royal in the middle of a long life, and remained there for over 40 years. During a colourful period of English history he famously served King Henry VIII and the three of Henrys children who followed him to the throne. His importance for English music during the second half of the sixteenth century is equalled only by that of his pupil, colleague and friend William Byrd. In a series of chronological chapters, Harley describes Talliss career before and after he entered the Chapel. The fully considered biography is placed in the context of larger political and cultural changes of the period. Each monarchs reign is treated with an examination of the ways in which Tallis met its particular musical needs. Consideration is given to all of Talliss surviving compositions, including those probably intended for patrons and amateurs beyond the court, and attention is paid to the context within which they were written. Tallis emerges as a composer whose music displays his special ability in setting words and creating ingenious musical patterns. A table places most of Talliss compositions in a broad chronological order.