This book develops an innovative approach for understanding the relationship between music and words in the works of five major composers of the English Renaissance: John Taverner, Christopher Tye, John Sheppard, Thomas Tallis, and William Byrd.

Wendy J. Porter, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Music and Worship at McMaster Divinity College, a seminary and graduate school in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She teaches in Ministry Studies, including wide-ranging eras of music and worship, and has published in areas ranging from early Christianity to contemporary worship. She is also co-author of New Testament Greek Papyri and Parchments: New Editions (de Gruyter).

Chapter One: Musical-Linguistic Perspectives on Sixteenth-Century Credos

Basic Concepts

Linguistic Theory and Music

Style Analysis as a Framework

Chapter Two: Musical-Linguistic Emphasis as Interpretation

A Theory of Emphasis as Interpretation

Chapter Three: John Taverner's Credos

Background Context

Foreground Content

Musical-Textual Concrescence

Chapter Four: Christopher Tye's Credos

Background Context

Foreground Content

Musical-Textual Concrescence

Chapter Five: Thomas Tallis's Credos

Background Context

Foreground Content

Musical-Textual Concrescence

Chapter Six: John Sheppard's Credos

Background Context

Foreground Content

Musical-Textual Concrescence

Chapter Seven: William Byrd's Credos

Background Context

Foreground Content

Musical-Textual Concrescence

Chapter Eight: Conclusion

Approach

Application

Assessment

Appendix: Credo Text