Composer

:

John Taverner

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

3:33

'O Wilhelme, pastor bone' is a choral work composed by John Taverner, a prominent English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the early 16th century, during the reign of King Henry VIII, and was likely written for use in the chapel of Cardinal Wolsey, who was a patron of Taverner's music. The work is a setting of a Latin text that honors St. William of York, a medieval English bishop and saint. The text is divided into three sections, each of which is set to music by Taverner. The first section is a hymn of praise to St. William, the second section is a prayer for his intercession, and the third section is a doxology that praises the Holy Trinity. The piece is written for four-part choir, with the voices arranged in a typical Renaissance choral texture of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The music is characterized by its rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive use of dissonance. Taverner employs a variety of musical techniques to convey the meaning of the text, including word painting, where the music reflects the meaning of the words being sung. 'O Wilhelme, pastor bone' premiered in the early 16th century, likely in the chapel of Cardinal Wolsey. The piece has since become a staple of the English choral repertoire and is still performed today by choirs around the world. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Taverner's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the human spirit.

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