Singers: David Hurley (countertenor), Robin Tyson (countertenor), Paul Phoenix (tenor), Philip Lawson (baritone), Christopher Gabbitas (baritone), Stephen Connolly (bass)
Spem In Alium is surely not just the greatest of all Thomas Tallis’s musical achievements, but one of the great musical compositions of all time. Written for 40 independent voices, this is a noble and monumental edifice, which in the course of its 69 longs makes creative and imaginative use of the extensive musical palette.
Using sophisticated modern multi-tracking technology (and considerable organisational skills) the King’s Singers divide the prodigious 40 vocal parts between just the six of them, creating a balanced performance, with no weak voices, no wrong notes or rhythms, and with everyone singing on the beat. Technology aside, this is a truly remarkable recording that stands comfortably alongside more traditional performances.
