Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

3:58

The Cantiga de Santa María 56, "Gran dereit' é de seer'" was composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. It is part of a collection of 420 songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as the Cantigas de Santa María. The Cantiga 56 is one of the most famous and beloved songs of the collection. The Cantiga 56 was likely composed in the 1270s, during the later years of Alfonso X's reign. It was likely performed in the royal court and in religious ceremonies throughout the kingdom of Castile. The Cantiga 56 is a monophonic song, meaning it is sung by a single voice without accompaniment. It is written in Galician-Portuguese, a language spoken in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The song is structured in three stanzas, each with a refrain that repeats throughout the song. The first stanza describes the Virgin Mary's power and grace, and how she can intercede on behalf of sinners. The second stanza tells the story of a man who was falsely accused of a crime and imprisoned. He prays to the Virgin Mary for help, and she appears to him in a vision, freeing him from his chains. The third stanza praises the Virgin Mary's mercy and asks for her protection. The Cantiga 56 is characterized by its simple melody and repetitive structure. The refrain, "Gran dereit' é de seer" ("It is great justice to be"), is sung after each stanza, creating a sense of unity and coherence throughout the song. The melody is based on a medieval mode, or scale, known as the Dorian mode, which gives the song a haunting and melancholic quality. The Cantiga 56 is a testament to Alfonso X's devotion to the Virgin Mary and his skill as a composer. It has been performed and recorded by numerous musicians and ensembles over the centuries, and remains a beloved example of medieval music.

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