Composer

:

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Mass

Compose Date

:

1570

Average_duration

:

31:48

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's 'Missa L'homme armé' is a six-part mass setting that was composed in the late 16th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1570 and 1580. The mass was premiered in Rome, where Palestrina was working as a composer and choirmaster at the time. The 'Missa L'homme armé' is divided into six movements: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. Each movement is characterized by Palestrina's signature style of polyphony, which features multiple independent vocal lines that weave together to create a rich and complex texture. The mass is written for six voices, with two soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts. The 'Missa L'homme armé' takes its name from the popular secular tune 'L'homme armé', which was used as the basis for many mass settings during the Renaissance. Palestrina's use of this melody is subtle and understated, with only occasional glimpses of the tune appearing in the vocal lines. Instead, the mass is characterized by its intricate counterpoint and careful attention to text setting, with each word and phrase given its own unique musical treatment. Overall, the 'Missa L'homme armé' is a masterful example of Palestrina's skill as a composer and his ability to create complex and beautiful music within the strict confines of the Catholic liturgy. Its enduring popularity and continued performance today are a testament to its timeless beauty and lasting impact on the history of Western music.

More....