John Taverner
Nothing is known of John Taverner's activities before 1524. He appears to have come from the East Midlands, possibly being born in Tattershall, Lincolnshire. No records indicate his parentage or early training. One of his own letters suggests he was related to the Yerburghs, a well-to-do family in Lincolnshire. The earliest concrete detail arrives in 1524 when Taverner travelled from Tattershall to the Church of St Botolph in nearby Boston as a guest singer. This brief appearance marks the first documented step into his public musical life.
Two years after that initial journey, Taverner became the first Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church, Oxford. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey appointed him to this post in 1526. The college had been founded by Wolsey just one year earlier in 1525 under the name Cardinal College. Before this appointment, Taverner served as a clerk fellow at the Collegiate Church of Tattershall. In 1528, he faced reprimand for minor involvement with Lutherans but escaped punishment because he was considered only a musician. Wolsey fell from favour in 1529, and Taverner left the college entirely in 1530.
Taverner settled eventually in Boston, Lincolnshire, where he lived as a small landowner and reasonably well-off man. He married a widow named Rose Parrowe, probably in 1536. She outlived him until 1553. During the last five months of his life, he served as an alderman in the town council of Boston. For about three years prior to that role, he acted as treasurer of the Corpus Christi Gild there. He is buried with his wife under the belltower at Boston Parish Church. His signature appears in existing copies spelled as Tavernor rather than Taverner.
Most of Taverner's music is vocal, including masses, Magnificats and motets. The bulk of his output dates from the 1520s. Several of his other masses use the widespread cantus firmus technique. A plainchant melody with long note values sits within an interior part, often the tenor. Examples include Corona Spinea and Gloria Tibi Trinitas. Another compositional method appears in his mass Mater Christi, which derives material directly from his motet of the same name. This approach creates what scholars call a derived or parody mass. Commonly his masses are designed so each section remains roughly equal in length through repeated thematic material.
The Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas gave origin to the style of instrumental work known as an In nomine. Although this mass exists in six parts, some sections reduce to fewer voices for soloists. The specific passage at the words in nomine in the Benedictus moves into four parts with the plainchant placed in the alto voice. This particular section became popular as an instrumental work for viol consort. Other composers wrote instrumental works modelled on this structure. They named these new compositions In nomine after the Latin phrase that anchors the original movement.
His best-known motet is Dum Transisset Sabbatum. One of his most celebrated masses is based on a popular song called The Western Wynde. John Sheppard and Christopher Tye later also wrote masses using this same melody. Taverner's Western Wynde mass places the theme tune in each of the four parts excepting the alto at different times. Perhaps his most celebrated work is his Missa Corona Spinea. Critics describe it as one of the high points of English Sacred music. Frank Pothoven of Luister called it an exceptional 6-voice setting while Kate Bolton of BBC Music Magazine praised its unique qualities.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was John Taverner born and where did he come from?
John Taverner likely came from the East Midlands, possibly being born in Tattershall, Lincolnshire. No records indicate his parentage or early training before 1524.
Who appointed John Taverner to Christ Church Oxford and when?
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey appointed John Taverner as Organist and Master of Choristers at Christ Church in 1526. The college had been founded by Wolsey just one year earlier in 1525 under the name Cardinal College.
What happened to John Taverner after Cardinal Wolsey fell from favour in 1529?
Taverner left the college entirely in 1530 after Cardinal Wolsey fell from favour in 1529. He settled eventually in Boston, Lincolnshire, where he lived as a small landowner and reasonably well-off man.
How many voices does John Taverners Missa Corona Spinea have and what do critics say about it?
Frank Pothoven of Luister called John Taverners Missa Corona Spinea an exceptional 6-voice setting while Kate Bolton of BBC Music Magazine praised its unique qualities. Critics describe it as one of the high points of English Sacred music.
Why is John Taverners Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas important for instrumental music?
The Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas gave origin to the style of instrumental work known as an In nomine. This particular section became popular as an instrumental work for viol consort and other composers wrote works modelled on this structure.