Composer

:

Guy Ropartz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

2:32

'Hic vir despiciens mundum' is a choral work composed by French composer Guy Ropartz. The piece was composed in 1923 and premiered in the same year in Paris. It is a four-movement work that is characterized by its use of polyphonic textures and rich harmonies. The first movement, titled "Hic vir despiciens mundum," is a setting of a Latin text that translates to "Here is a man who despises the world." The movement begins with a unison chant-like melody that is gradually joined by other voices, creating a dense polyphonic texture. The harmonies are rich and complex, with dissonances that create a sense of tension and release. The second movement, "O vos omnes," is a setting of a text from the Book of Lamentations. The movement is characterized by its use of chromatic harmonies and shifting tonal centers. The text is set in a mournful and contemplative style, with the voices weaving in and out of each other to create a sense of longing and sadness. The third movement, "Ecce quomodo moritur justus," is a setting of a text from the Book of Wisdom. The movement is characterized by its use of imitative polyphony, with the voices echoing each other in a call-and-response style. The harmonies are again rich and complex, with dissonances that create a sense of tension and release. The final movement, "In paradisum deducant te angeli," is a setting of a text from the Requiem Mass. The movement is characterized by its use of homophonic textures, with the voices singing in unison or in simple harmonies. The harmonies are more consonant than in the previous movements, creating a sense of peace and resolution. Overall, 'Hic vir despiciens mundum' is a complex and challenging work that showcases Ropartz's mastery of polyphonic textures and rich harmonies. The piece is a testament to the composer's ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving.

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