Christopher Tye’s Mass Euge bone: Sanctus
Throughout September, the Daily Classical Music Post celebrates the music of 15th-, 16th-, and 17th-century England. https://youtu.be/jU5eK-LuEXM The English composer, organist, and Anglican rector Christopher Tye (c.1505–before 1573) was an important figure in the musical life of England. He was a favourite of Edward VI, and may even have taught the future king music. Even after he “retired” from the Chapel Royal after his ordination, he apparently still returned to London occasionally, as evidenced by this quote: “Dr Tye was a peevish and humoursome man, especially in his latter days, and sometimes playing on the organ in the chapel of Queen Elizabeth, which contained much music but little delight to the ear. She would send the verger to tell him that he played out of tune, whereupon he sent word that her ears were out of tune” (The Life and Times of Anthony à Wood). No one is quite sure what the title of Christopher Tye’s Mass Euge bone refers to or means. As Chris Whent says, “Prob...