Thomas Tallis

Print made by Gerard van der Gucht 1696 - 1776

After Nicola Francesco Haym 1679 - 1729

Portrait of Thomas Tallis , half length, writing music

Etching

199 millimetres x 128 millimetres 

The British Museum, London

The British Library still has a book owned by Thomas Tallis (c. 1505 – 23 November 1585)

the English Catholic composer at the time of the Reformation

Ownership Inscription Of Thomas Tallis, In John Wylde's Musical Compilation

Ink and pigments on vellum

Lansdowne MS 763  f.124v

25.9 x 16.6 cm

The British Library, London

The British Library says of this exhibit:

"This volume contains a collection of miscellaneous musical treatises, compiled probably in the second quarter of the 15th century by John Wylde, who seems to have been the choirmaster at the Abbey of Holy Cross, Waltham, a few miles due north of London, between Enfield and Epping.  

He wrote it himself, and gave it to the Abbey.  

It was later owned by his more famous successor, Thomas Tallis (d.1585). On what was originally the final page of the book is the signature 'Thomas tallys' above the same name in large capital letters

Here is Thomas Tallis's magnificent 40-part motet Spem in Alium.written for Queen Elizabeth I

as well as a rendition of Lamentation



and finally Gaude Gloriosa Dei Mater (Rejoice, O glorious Mother of God)