Description
A Tallis Anthem is based on If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585). He was one of the first who set English words to the Rites of the Church of England. If Ye Love Me is a classic example of the new English anthems: mainly homophonic, but with brief moments of imitation.
The opening is a triumphant version of the first homophonic phrases of the song, interrupted by a calm melody build with material from a motive from the original. The anthem is played by a quartet placed in front of the band or of stage for efect. This is followed by a more modern anthem leading to a triumphant finale.
