LOQUEBANTUR VARIIS LINGUIS

A Choral Masterpiece for Pentecost

I was introduced to this motet by the 16th century English composer Thomas Tallis at a concert given last year by the Spire Chamber Ensemble. The piece and the performance were stunning. Here is what Spire’s Music Director Ben Spalding has to say about it:

“Thomas Tallis’s Loquebantur variis linguis is one of my all-time favorite Renaissance motets, especially since it was written for Pentecost. It sets the biblical text from the Acts of the Apostles, depicting the apostles speaking in various tongues. It is highly regarded by critics for its euphoric urgency and contrapuntal mastery. I've performed the work a few times and it's completely thrilling.”