The Tallis Scholars's recording of 'Spem in alium' has been climbing the charts after being featured in EL James's erotic novel 50 Shades of Grey.
The Tallis Scholars are delighted with the result Photo: Eric Richmond
The incredible success of EL James's erotic novel is having an effect on the classical music industry.
After selling over one million copies on the Kindle and becoming the fastest print novel to sell one million copies, 50 Shades of Grey has also caused an increase in the sales of a piece of classical music.
The piece Spem in alium, sung by the Tallis Scholars is this week at number 7 in the official UK Classical Singles Chart.
The piece features in the novel by EL James. Readers who have bought the book have downloaded the song from iTunes, prompting the single to go from number 20 to number 13 to number 8 and then, this week, to number 7.
The founder and director of the Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips, said: "I haven't read 50 Shades of Grey but I am most grateful to the author for introducing so many new listeners to the musical sensation that is Thomas Tallis's Spem in alium."
The piece features 40 individual voices singing in Latin and was written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The words 'Spem in alium' are translated as 'Hope in any other'.
The piece features 40 individual voices singing in Latin and was written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The words 'Spem in alium' are translated as 'Hope in any other'.
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05 Mar 2011
