Friday, October the 8th, 2004

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Spem in Alium

“Spem in alium is surely not just the greatest of all Thomas Tallis' musical achievements, but one of the great musical compositions of all time. Writing for forty independent voices, Thomas Tallis created a noble and imaginative masterpiece.” That's what one of the record companies selling a CD of the motet—chosen yesterday by Poppy Nisbet—has to say, and I don't disagree. It is quite sublime.

In these leaden days when nobody knows Latin anymore, it is useful to provide a translation of the title. I was somewhat disconcerted by this email from Tim Thurn:

“Spem in alium: alium is Latin for onion, so Spem in must mean The world is just a great big. Close listening reveals an astonishing affinity between Tallis' work and the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell soul classic. For those who think garlic is a more accurate rendering of alium, and if we accept that spem translates as hope, then the motet is clearly an eleven minute incantation to ward off vampires. In the week of Michael Howard's Conservative Party conference, it is essential listening.”

I suggest Tim buys himself a Latin dictionary. The full title of the work is Spem in alium numquam habui, which means I have never put my hope in any other. Tallis is referring not to Michael Howard, Marvin Gaye, nor Tammi Terrell, but to Deus Israel qui irasceris et propitius eris et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis, the God of Israel who will be angry and yet become again gracious and who forgives all the sins of suffering man. Whether He, She or It will forgive Tim Thurn's sins is a moot point. I wouldn't.