The (Lent) Madness continues with another surreal pairing -- this time between an influential 16th-century church musician and a 20th-century Ugandan archbishop and martyr. This match-up even has the holy odds-makers in Vegas shaking their collective heads.
Yesterday, Luke outpaced Absalom Jones by a wide margin, 61% to 39% with over 4,500 votes cast, though many commented on Jones' inspirational story in bidding him farewell. For some commentary on why these pairings are often so difficult, make sure to watch the most recent version of Monday Madness with Tim and Scott. This, along with many other mysteries such as where Scott likes to stay when in Silver Spring, Maryland, and how he copes without his trusty Lent Madness 2013 mug, will be revealed.
In other news, we passed the 4,000 "like" mark on our Facebook page. Don't forget to like us if you haven't yet done so and encourage your friends to go and do likewise. There's no finder's fee for getting people to join in the Madness; you'll just have to be content with the knowledge that your reward will be in heaven.
Finally, stay tuned for a major announcement on the whereabouts of Tim's missing Lent Madness mug sometime soon.
Thomas Tallis
Thomas Tallis is considered the father of English Church music. Little is known about his personal life. We don’t know when he was born, we don’t know if he did or didn’t sing with the Chapel Royal of St. James boys’ choir, we have no idea what he really looked like, and we don’t know how really how to spell his last name - the one copy of his signature we have shows Tallys.
What we do know is he forever changed church music with his compositions. His legacy sings to us in music glorifying God, expressing hope and lament, joy and veneration. He composed elegantly simple tunes that welcome the gracious light of dusk in Tallis’ Canon and intricately complex motets, like Spem in Alium, a 40-part motet expressing humanity’s eternal hope in God.
He and his contemporaries Merbecke and Byrd, lived and composed in a time of significant political and religious upheaval. The Tudor throne of England shifted British religion from Roman Catholic to English Protestant back to Roman Catholic and finally to Anglicanism. Throughout these massive shifts, all composed the music which allowed the words of the prayers to sing.
Tallis’ talent and political maneuvering brought him to the personal choir for the British monarchy. During his adult life, Tallis taught, composed, and performed for Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth I and their courts and managed not to get himself executed. Few musicians past or present have the ability to compose and perform in the style that suited the ever-changing tastes of religious folks, but Tallis did.
Tallis and Byrd eventually became business partners and held the Crown Patent for the printing of music and lined music paper for 21 years, as well as a monopoly on polyphonic music, one of the first arrangements of this type in England. If composers of the day wanted to print music or get paper to write down compositions in Tudor England, they had to pay Tallis. While this sounds like Tallis and Byrd were the Cosa Nostra of the Tudor British Music world, they didn’t own a printing press. Thus, they didn’t make much money from their arrangement. Tallis, like many saints, was creative, passionate, and not so awesome in business.
He died at home in Greenwich in November 1585 and was buried in the chancel of St. Alfege Church. His remains were likely discarded in the early 18th century by laborers rebuilding the church. His music, however, is with us, sung almost every week in prayer and praise to God.
Collect for Thomas Tallis (and some others)
O God most glorious, whose praises are sung night and day by your saints and angels in heaven: We give you thanks for William Byrd, John Merbecke, and Thomas Tallis, whose music has enriched the praise that your Church offers you here on earth. Grant, we pray, to all who are touched by the power of music such glimpses of eternity that we may be made ready to join your saints in heaven and behold your glory unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- Laurie Brock
Janani Luwum
Above the Great West Doors of Westminster Abbey are ten statues of martyrs from the twentieth century. One of those statues depicts an African named Janani Luwum (1922-1977). He was a convert to Christianity and an Anglican priest. He eventually became the Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire. And he died for his faith thirty-six years ago last Sunday because he spoke out on behalf of others in the name of Christ. He gave a voice to those who could not speak for themselves. In the midst of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s brutal regime, Luwum warned the Church not to conform to “the powers of darkness.”
The story of Luwum’s death was told to me in the sermon at my ordination to the priesthood by someone who knew him well. This is how his friend and former colleague described it:
“He was a tall and very taciturn man. And if it had not been for the twinkle in his eye, you would have thought him perhaps even mean. But he was a kindly, large, and very strong man. One morning he was awakened early in his house by soldiers, who accused him of storing arms – which they never found – the purpose of which was to overthrow General Amin’s government.
“He was taken to a large amphitheatre in the middle of Kampala, where Amin had assembled his private guard, and where he was jeered. He was then taken by automobile to Luzira Prison, some five miles outside the city. And there he was tortured, and he was asked to confess his crime. His only response was to pray, ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done…’ He prayed this prayer constantly for some time under the leader. And finally, in a rage, Amin pulled out a pistol and shot him twice – once in the head and once in the chest.
“Surely here is a witness to Christ’s suffering. And surely here even more is a life that partakes of the glory that is to be revealed. And here is the shadow of what we hope for. And surely here is a life in which we can recognize the suffering and the glory which belong to God’s entire flock. Here is a life in which we can see ourselves as we are destined by grace to be.”
That is the story of Janani Luwum as it was told to me. It reminds me that in every time and place there are people like him – people empowered by the Holy Spirit – who would be willing to speak on our behalf if we were in need and could not speak for ourselves.
Collect for Janani Luwum
O God, whose Son the Good Shepherd laid down his life for the sheep: We give you thanks for your faithful shepherd Janani Luwum, who after his Savior’s example, gave up his life for the people of Uganda. Grant us to be so inspired by his witness that we make no peace with oppression, but live as those who are sealed with the cross of Christ, who died and rose again, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Vote!
[poll id="45"]
139 comments on “Thomas Tallis vs. Janani Luwuum”
Tough, tough choice. I love and have sung so much of Tallis' music (including being the first voice to start Spem in Allium, an amazing experience to sing that opening G note knowing you are about to set loose eight quintets in a piece of music that moves like an ocean wave around a room), but have to go with Luwum. My sister-in-law's parents were living in Uganda during the Idi Amin era and can tell of the horrors.
A difficult choice - I sang the Tallis Spem in Alium just a couple of weeks ago - but undoubtedly the Archbishop was a brave, inspiring man. It occurs to me, though that It wasn't easy to stick to your faith under Edward and Elizabeth when everyone else was going with the fashion - even with the monarch's protection. So, being English I'll go for who I know is the underdog here and vote Tallis
I am moved by music, but I voted for Luwuum. There is music in all of us; I wonder how many of us have what it takes to be martyred for our faith.
Preach it!
I love the music of Thomas Tallis, every hymn is a prayer reaching out to show
God's love. Janani Luwum's actions gave all those around him a new way to
see God and brought me around to vote for him.
I was a music history major back in the day and wrote papers on Tallis and his contemporaries. I cut my teeth on the music of Tallis in many choirs and choruses. What transporting beauty! While I admire and am certainly thankful for the courage of the Archbishop and pray that I would have what it takes to stand as he did against evil, I need to vote for Thomas Tallis. It seems that he is getting a real trouncing in the voting that is unnecessary. His music is glorious! He deserves better than he is getting. Come on, musicians out there....vote Tallis!
What an amazing and dissimilar match up. I have never heard of the Archbishop's powerful story. Tallis's music has been a pleasure to learn and hearing it has transported me from a painful hospital bed to peace and memories of what has been and the hope of what is to come. Tallis has meant more to me on a daily, deep and spiritual level and thus has earned my vote.
Tommy T all the way!
Particularly compelling to my reading of the CB commentary for Abp. Luwum is that his persecution and execution seems like Idi Amin's horrible parody of Jesus of Nazareth’s public trials and private audience with P. Pilate. However, for T. Tallis, this CB comment caught my attention: “During his adult life, Tallis taught, composed, and performed for Henry VIII, Edward I, Mary, and Elizabeth I and their courts . . . . Few musicians past or present have the ability to compose and perform in the style that suited the ever-changing tastes of religious folks, but Tallis did.” My experience in church music includes mediating the fractious anthems of parish musicians’ vocal preferences for “contemporary” or “traditional” or “blended” worship (often vocalized at the level of forte, if not fortissimo). After considerable deliberation, my vote goes to the saint who faced the peculiar persecution reserved for church musicians, `managed not to get himself executed,’ and whose legacy of harmonious, polyphonic music-as-prayer serves the church even now.
To stay Christ-centered during historically divisive and deadly decades, while remaining in the core of royal court life, is astounding. And all the while composing what surely must be God-inspired timeless beauty! Tallis, not only `managed not to get himself executed,’ but lives in music that reflects the Eternity of the Savior's love.
I was saved, yep gonna use that language, at a revival at Grace Church Manhatten in the early 80's preached by Bishop Festo Kivengere who had escaped Uganda with his family and he shared the story of Archbishop Luwuum. Festo also shared about Arbp. Luwuum praying for an encouraging his captors. This, I thought, is faith in a God I can give my life to, and so I did. Archbishop Luwuum all the way!!!! But I have to say that when my soul is feeling sparky I always put on Von Williams riff on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
As I was trying to say when called upon to actually help several library users, I hadn't heard of Archbishop Luwuum - his story of courageous faith is very moving. But I so love the music component of services that I must vote for Thomas Tallys.
Tallis long-lived influence is powerful and had my vote going in to this round; however, the martyrdom of Bishop Luwuum struck a far more resounding chord in my heart, and, therefore, receives my vote. Thank you to Ms. Brock & Mr. Willard for their fine biographies!
The two little choristers in my family cast their unified vote for Tallis.
I was all set to cast my vote for Luwuum but i could not, in good conscience make my decision without at least hearing some of Tallis'music. While my wife read the Lusuum bio, i dutifully summoned up a Tallis Pandora station. So as i listened to this music i realized that, despite his over priveled life, the voice of God was speaking through Tallis. I then cast my vote for Tallis.
While music truly inspires the soul, how can you not vote for someone who gives his life for his beliefs and those he serves? So praise and thanks to Thomas Tallis, but the vote goes to Archbishop Luwuum
As they say in the news business, "If it bleeds, it leads." One who dies for the faith must advance in the rounds. I do love Tallis' music, and my vote does not diminish his contribution. As was mentioned in one of the videos, by voting for one, we are not voting "against" another. All the saints are loved.
What has been so difficult for me is choosing between the ancient fathers who gave us our faith and those who have contributed so much to our continuing inspired worship and those who have given their lives to spread and preserve our faith - what to do except to thank all of them and thank God for their witness - and thank Lent Madness for educating us!!!
Hear, hear!
Having been nurtured for many year by James Kiefer's biographical sketches from the Mission St. Clare Daily Office, I was familiar with Archbishop Luwum's story. Even more amazing is the aftermath - the thousands who turned out for his burial, the tens of thousands who came the next year to commemorate the centennial of the first preaching of the Gospel in their country, returning to Christianity because of the witness of Luwum. His martyrdom helped to set the captives free.
Is it Luwuum or Luwum? Both are posted.
Music is an essential element of worship for me -- Thomas Tallis!
While I voted for Tallis, partly because I love his contribution to Catholic (both Anglican and Roman) worship, and partly because of Madeleine L'Engle's character, Canon Tallis, I am really pleased to see ABP Luwum well out ahead. His faithfulness even unto death in the face of renewed persecution of Christians in Uganda.
Oh yes, the Chapel Royal is not a place -- it is the body of clergy and musicians who provide for the spiritual needs of the Sovereign. Since 1702 it usually functions in the chapels at the Court of St. James, and before that at Whitehall, but in Tudor and earlier times it had no set home and simply followed the monarch. Tallis may or may not have been one of the children of the chapel (he certainly was one of its organists for much of his adult life) but would not have served at St. James.