The Tallis Scholars release Robert Fayrfax album
Friday 1 November 2024 marked the release of the latest album from The Tallis Scholars, their 61st disc with Gimell Records. The album features the music of Robert Fayrfax, focussing on his four votive antiphons written after the Eton Choirbook, including the colossal ‘Maria plena virtute’ alongside ‘Ave Dei patris’, ‘O Maria, Deo grata’ and ‘Eterne laudis lilium’.
Peter Phillips writes: “ Robert Fayrfax (1464-1521) bridges the gap between the Eton Choirbook and Thomas Tallis. No one before him had achieved the kind of expressive power he managed in these four antiphons, they are trailblazing and quite exceptional. People who think they know Fayrfax, and all the other music of that period – Eton, Browne, Cornysh, Lambe, Taverner and early Tallis – don’t expect this clarity of thought, directness of expression through the texts and the holding of a deeply emotive atmosphere for long spans of music. I present this showcase to deliberately bring these four votive antiphons together.”
The album is out now on Gimell Records. Links to streaming platforms and retailers can be found here.
“As always, The Tallis Scholars run effortlessly like a Rolls-Royce; and everything seems unchallengeably in place.” David Fallows, Gramophone Magazine
“The Tallis Scholars truly excel here in these major works from early 16th-century England by Robert Fayrfax, Peter Phillips drawing out the colours and textures in glorious style.” Martin Cullingford, Gramophone Editor’s Choice November 2024
“Isn’t that a glorious sound … by English Renaissance composer Robert Fayrfax and the effortlessly radiant sound of The Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips.” Andrew McGregor, BBC R3 Record Review: