On Christmas Day 1554 the Spanish Armada was a long way off on the horizon. Mary Tudor had married Prince Philip of Spain, and in celebration of her pregnancy Tallis had composed the Mass Puer natus , which may well have been performed in St Paul 's Cathedral on this special day. For this splendid ceremony the English Chapel Royal and choir of St Paul 's were joined by Prince Philip of Spain 's Capilla Flamenca to sing music by great composers from both countries. This recording presents a number of works which were likely to have been performed by these choirs on this special occasion.
In due time it had to be accepted that the Queen had suffered a phantom pregnancy. Three years later Philip was King of Spain ; Mary died the following year.
"… imaginative and illuminating disc." The Daily Telegraph 2006