Composer

:

Thomas Tallis

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1575

Average_duration

:

2:17

In manus tuas, P. 202 is a choral composition by the English composer Thomas Tallis. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It is a setting of the Latin text of the Nunc dimittis, a canticle from the Gospel of Luke that is traditionally sung at the end of the day. The piece is written for four voices, with the soprano and alto parts sung by women and the tenor and bass parts sung by men. It is a relatively short piece, with a duration of around three minutes. In manus tuas, P. 202 is divided into two movements. The first movement is a setting of the first two verses of the Nunc dimittis, while the second movement sets the final verse. The first movement is characterized by its gentle, flowing melody, which is sung by the soprano and alto voices. The tenor and bass parts provide a simple, yet effective harmonic accompaniment. The second movement is more complex than the first, with the four voices weaving in and out of each other in a series of intricate harmonies. The melody is more angular and dissonant than in the first movement, reflecting the text's reference to the "sword" that will pierce the heart of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Overall, In manus tuas, P. 202 is a beautiful and poignant piece of choral music that showcases Tallis's skill as a composer. Its simple yet effective harmonies and gentle melodies make it a popular choice for choirs and audiences alike.

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