The Cathedral of the Madeleine's annual St. Cecilia's Day concert, which takes place tonight at 8, will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest English composers of the Renaissance, Thomas Tallis.
Together with William Byrd, Tallis kept the Roman Catholic musical traditions alive in England during the upheaval and turmoil of the Reformation. "Tallis and Byrd remained Catholics and as composers rejected the simpler style dictated by the Reformation," said Gregory Glenn, director of music at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
Both composers had an immense output of works that fell into neglect until the turn of the 20th century, when they were rediscovered, Glenn said. "This is magnificent music that is as relevant today as it was in the 16th century."
Even though the music of Tallis is frequently sung at the cathedral during the year, Glenn is delighted to be able to devote part of tonight's concert to his music. "I'm thrilled that we're able to feature a composer that we regularly perform, and put him in the spotlight."
Besides three of Tallis' Latin motets, the concert — which will be performed by the cathedral choir, the choristers of the Madeleine Choir School and the strings of the resident Sonolumina Orchestra — also includes a work inspired by Tallis.
Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" uses a tune that Williams came across while working on "The English Hymnal" early in the 20th century. It became the basis of one of the most hauntingly beautiful and best-known works that Williams wrote. "He was taken by this music and was inspired by the early English style of writing," Glenn said. "Some of the kind of harmonic twists you find in Tallis and Byrd are also in Vaughan Williams' music."
Rounding out the concert are works by J.S. Bach and Handel.
Bach's motet "Komm, Jesu, komm," BWV 229, is closely related to Tallis, Glenn said. "It's a brilliant, wonderful choral piece that goes well with early English music."
Handel's "Dixit Dominus" will close out the concert and combines the cathedral choir with the string orchestra. " 'Dixit Dominus' is an incredible work," Glenn said. "It's not typical for his writing, because it's much more involved than what people are accustomed to hearing when they think of Handel."
A setting of Psalm 110, "Dixit Dominus" is an early work and stems from Handel's trip to Rome in 1707. This was in the years immediately before he moved to England, when he was inspired by the music he heard in Italy. "It's a very demanding choral part," Glenn said. "Very challenging, but remarkable."
The concert will be repeated Tuesday in Park City. "It's our goal to have performances there as well," Glenn said, "because we also have an audience in Park City."
If you go
What: St. Cecilia's Day Concert
Where: Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple
When: Today, 8 p.m.
How much: Free (donations accepted)
Also . . .
Where: St. Mary's Catholic Church, U-224 at White Pine Canyon Road, Park City
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $20 (general), $15 (senior citizens, students)
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com