The Tallis Scholars release digital single by Eric Whitacre today

The Tallis Scholars are releasing a digital single today on their own Gimell label in recognition of their 40th anniversary. Sainte-Chapelle, an eight-and-a-half-minute work written especially for the group by choral composer Eric Whitacre, was first performed in St Paul’s Cathedral on March 7 this year to launch their Anniversary World Tour.

‘I was thrilled and honoured when [founder] Peter Phillips approached me with an invitation to write a piece in celebration of 40 years of The Tallis Scholars,’ said Whitacre. ‘At around the time of the invitation I visited Paris and was captivated by its sheer beauty, and particularly Sainte-Chapelle, the 13th century chapel. Some 6,458 square feet of tall stained glass windows lead relentlessly to an intricate rose window within this mesmerising, Gothic edifice. I turned to my long-time friend, collaborator, poet and historian, Charles Anthony Silvestri to work on the text for the piece, and he crafted the story of an innocent young girl, hearing angels in the stained glass gently singing the Sanctus text.‘

Classical singles are rare occurrences and for The Tallis Scholars, the digital-only recording is all the more unusual, as it is the group’s first non-CD release in 30 years. The download is initially exclusive to iTunes in the high-quality ‘Mastered for iTunes’ format. Thereafter Studio Master downloads will be available from gimell.com.

Hear an excerpt of Sainte-Chapelle, recorded in the Chapel of Merton College, on the Gramophone Player below: