Composer

:

John Taverner

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

ca. 1530 - 1540

Publication Date

:

1990

Average_duration

:

6:52

"Dum transisset sabbatum (i)" is a sacred choral work composed by John Taverner, a prominent English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was likely composed in the early 1520s, during Taverner's tenure as the master of the choir at Cardinal College in Oxford. The work is a setting of the Latin text of the same name, which is taken from the Gospel of Mark and describes the events of the first Easter Sunday. The text is divided into three sections, each of which is set to a different musical movement. The first movement is a solemn and contemplative setting of the opening lines of the text, which describe the dawn of the first day of the week. The music is characterized by long, sustained phrases and a sense of restrained emotion. The second movement is more lively and celebratory, reflecting the joy and excitement of the women who discover the empty tomb of Jesus. The music features lively rhythms and intricate polyphony, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex and intricate web of sound. The final movement is a return to the more contemplative mood of the opening, as the text describes the women's fear and confusion at the sight of the empty tomb. The music is characterized by a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity, with the voices rising and falling in a series of unresolved phrases. Overall, "Dum transisset sabbatum (i)" is a masterful example of Renaissance choral music, showcasing Taverner's skill at creating complex and intricate polyphony while still maintaining a sense of emotional depth and spiritual resonance. The work premiered during Taverner's lifetime and has remained a beloved and frequently performed piece of sacred music ever since.

More....