Composer

:

Tomás Luis de Victoria

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1581

Average_duration

:

7:03

"Ad coenam agni providi" is a hymn composed by Tomás Luis de Victoria, a Spanish composer of the Renaissance era. The hymn is based on a Latin text that is traditionally sung during the Easter season. It is a hymn of praise to the Lamb of God, who is the source of our salvation. Victoria composed "Ad coenam agni providi" in the late 16th century, during his tenure as the maestro di cappella at the Collegium Germanicum in Rome. The hymn was first published in his collection of hymns, "Hymni totius anni," which was printed in Rome in 1581. The hymn is divided into seven movements, each of which corresponds to a different verse of the text. The first movement is a simple, unaccompanied setting of the first verse, which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The second movement is a lively, dance-like setting of the second verse, which celebrates the resurrection of Christ. The third movement is a more contemplative setting of the third verse, which reflects on the mystery of the Incarnation. The fourth movement is a joyful setting of the fourth verse, which celebrates the victory of Christ over sin and death. The fifth movement is a more somber setting of the fifth verse, which reflects on the suffering of Christ on the cross. The sixth movement is a triumphant setting of the sixth verse, which celebrates the glory of Christ in heaven. The final movement is a simple, unaccompanied setting of the seventh verse, which brings the hymn to a peaceful conclusion. Throughout the piece, Victoria employs a variety of musical techniques to convey the meaning of the text. He uses lively rhythms and bright harmonies to express the joy of the resurrection, and more somber harmonies and slower tempos to convey the solemnity of Christ's suffering on the cross. He also uses word painting to highlight certain phrases in the text, such as the descending melody on the word "descendit" in the third verse, which reflects the descent of Christ from heaven to earth. Overall, "Ad coenam agni providi" is a masterful example of Victoria's skill as a composer. It is a rich and complex piece of music that conveys the deep spiritual meaning of the text in a powerful and moving way.

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