Alexander Blachly delivers an illustrated talk on Thomas Tallis’s strange forty-voice motet, Spem in alium, which till now has received no satisfactory explanation for why and when it was written. There are many, many clues, however, and together they add up to a surprising conclusion. The tale of Spem in alium turns out to be as colorful as the music itself, with connections to Henry VIII, Mary Tudor, Elizabeth I, and a number of wealthy noblemen.
This is free and open to the public.
Originally published at music.nd.edu.