Thomas Tallis: O Sacrum Convivium (I Call And Cry To Thee)

O Sacrum Convivium was probably composed in the 1560's but like several other motets composed by Tallis in his 1575 collection it was later substantially revised. This music was originally conceived as an instrumental fantasia; subsequently during the course of its extensive musical remoulding it was adapted to a variety of English texts as well as to the present Latin words. The version published in 1575 from which this edition is taken may be regarded as Tallis' final definitive statement on the work. For SAATB a cappella.

William Byrd (c. 1540-1623) was an English renaissance composer who wrote several well-known works in both the Catholic and Anglican traditions many of which are still highly popular today. He studied under ThomasTallis at the Chapel Royal before becoming Organist and Master of the Choristers at Lincoln. He later returned to the Chapel Royal as Gentleman and Organist. O Sacrum Convivium was inspired by the Antiphonto the Magnificat at the 2nd Vespers of Corpus Christi. It makes a perfect anthem for any Eucharist service or Mass. It is scored for SATB choir with Piano reduction for rehearsal purposes.