Felix Namque I (1562)

"Felix Namque" is one of the masterpiece of the English ancient music and one of the most difficult and intricate pieces to play of this period.
Tallis (c1505-85) was organist of Waltham Abbey at the time of its dissolution in 1540, and is best known for his 40 part motet Spem in Alium. Felix Namque is one of a pair of 'Offertories': unique both for their structure, virtuosity and duration. They might have been written prior to the Reformation for liturgical use, tho their blatantly applause-seeking codas render this improbable! It was the custom in the late medieval period to substitute the chanting of an Offertory hymn to the Virgin, Felix Namque, with a keyboard elaboration of the plainchant or the cantus firmus. By using its entirety as equal-length notes in the treble Tallis commits himself to a long piece, which he builds throug many rhythmic developments into a near-Lisztian climax while keeping everything subordinated to the cantus firmus. Probably written for organ, Felix Namque works equally well on harpsichord. Doubtless intended as a tour de force it set bench-marks that were not overtaken for a century, both in keyboard technique and what we would now call 'pure' composition, that is to say music that was intended neither for the practical purposes of dance or devotion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcwsty6p5lw

http://www.marcolomuscio.com