Miserere nostri (Thomas Tallis)

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  • (Posted 2023-07-20)  CPDL #74636:     
Editor: Jason Smart (submitted 2023-07-20).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 443 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC ND
Edition notes: Edited from the Byrd/Tallis Cantiones Sacrae of 1575. Original pitch and note values retained.
  • (Posted 2023-01-19)  CPDL #72306:  Network.png
Editor: Richard Shakeshaft (submitted 2023-01-19).   Score information: Unknown   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: At original pitch. A preview is available, but name and email are required to download complete free licensed copies.
  • (Posted 2023-01-19)  CPDL #72305:  Network.png
Editor: Richard Shakeshaft (submitted 2023-01-19).   Score information: Unknown   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: Transposed up a minor third from original. A preview is available, but name and email are required to download complete free licensed copies.
  • (Posted 2021-11-15)  CPDL #66707:        (LilyPond)
Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2021-11-15).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 50 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC
Edition notes:
  • (Posted 2020-03-18)  CPDL #57572:       
Editor: Keith Harmel (submitted 2020-03-18).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 181 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: To allow for wider accessibility, the Soprano canon has been shifted down to the Soprano 2 and Alto, while the Alto line has been transposed up one octave and placed in the Soprano 1 line.v
  • (Posted 2020-03-18)  CPDL #57571:       
Editor: Keith Harmel (submitted 2020-03-18).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 180 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: In the original key.
  • (Posted 2020-03-17)  CPDL #57570:       
Editor: Keith Harmel (submitted 2020-03-17).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 179 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Transposed up a major second to G.
  • (Posted 2020-03-17)  CPDL #57569:       
Editor: Keith Harmel (submitted 2020-03-17).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 181 kB   Copyright: CPDL
{{EdNotes|Transposed up a minor third to Ab.
  • (Posted 2013-02-04)  CPDL #28214:         
Editor: Gerd Eichler (submitted 2013-02-04).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 60 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Mensural notation, original key and note values, musica ficta clearly marked, clefs modernized.
  • (Posted 2004-01-30)  CPDL #06605:      (Finale 2002)
Editor: Paul R. Marchesano (submitted 2004-01-30).   Score information: Letter, 5 pages, 148 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Miserere nostri
Composer: Thomas Tallis

Number of voices: 7vv   Voicings: SSTTTBB or AATTBBB
Genre: SacredMotet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1575 in Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur, no. 34
Description: Miserere nostri is an astoundingly ingenious canon. Most obvious is the canon between the two top voices (mentioned at the foot of page 1), which sing the same line throughout but half a bar apart. Meanwhile, however, a different and less audible canon is in progress between four of the five lower voices: all start singing the same melody at the same time but at four different speeds, two of them in inversion. By bar 6, the Second Bass has already sung the whole of the part assigned to the slowest singer, the First Bass. Amazingly, this fiendish process not only works but produces convincing harmonies which sound as if they are the very raison d’être of this understandably short piece. To enjoy them to the maximum, the music should be taken fairly slowly, so as not to skate over the passing dissonances. (from the score of CPDL #6605): Original key: F major. Pitch in 16th century England was likely very high and this key is probably closer to the actual performance pitch. This likely earlier work was probably part of a full setting of the Psalm, but this section is all that remains of this setting. It demonstrates surprising rhythmic complexity. Note values and barring have been adjusted for modern notation. It is particularly important in this antiphon to sing through the barlines, allowing the rhythmic and natural accent of the text to guide phrasing.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Latin.png Latin text

Miserere nostri Domine, miserere nostri.

English.png English translation

Have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us.