The Tallis Scholars Christmas Concert, St John's Smith Square

Few would question the greatness of Thomas Tallis’ Spem In Alium – perhaps the supreme English choral work – but even fewer are familiar with the rest of his fascinating oeuvre. The Missa Puer natus est nobis is one piece that deserves to be better known. A seven-part mass likely written for a Christmas celebration in Mary I’s court, it is easily his most elaborate, melding seven voices in continuous song to create something that truly overwhelms.

The Missa puer will be the centerpiece of this year’s Tallis Scholars Christmas concert, a sure highlight of the 2015 festive calendar. It will be joined by the works of John Sheppard, another major figure of the Tudor era. Holy minimalist Arvo Pärt, perhaps the contemporary composer most in tune with early choral music, will complete the line-up. Founder and director Peter Philips conducts amidst the baroque splendour of St John’s Smith Square.

Philips founded the Tallis Scholars in 1973 as an amateur choir, at a time when early music played second fiddle to the romantic canon. A decade later they went professional, and quickly became one of the world’s leading concert and recording choirs. Mark Padmore, James Gilchrist and John Mark Ainsley have all passed through on their way to solo stardom. In 2013, they became one of only six ensembles to be voted into the Gramaphone Hall of Fame. Their annual Christmas concerts have become a treasured London tradition.