Gregorian Tradition

The Middle Ages are not as far away as they seem. Simplicity and devotion resonate in the 12th-century hymns of Hildegard von Bingen. But when we listen to Arvo Pärt’s music of nine centuries later, we encounter the same enduring aesthetic. Music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance and music of today meet in The Tallis Scholars, who have been at the top of the vocal ensembles for over 50 years.

‘Gregorian chant has taught me that there is a cosmic secret hidden behind the art of combining two or three notes,’ Arvo Pärt said once. He draws inspiration from these medieval chants. Hildegard’s monophony juxtaposed with the polyphonic tapestry of Obrecht, Di Lasso, and De Victoria creates a programme of captivating contrast. The hymn to Mary, Salve Regina, is sung in three versions.