Listening Suggestion

By Scott Horton

Thomas Tallis, The Lamentations of Jeremiah

This work of the sixteenth century English composer of sacred music is a setting of Latin verses from the book of Lamentations, done for five voices in an amazingly rich polyphonic weave. It is a profoundly sad and introspective piece, and today perhaps the best known work by Tallis in the choral repertoire. This week would be the traditional time for its performance.