Composer

:

Francisco Guerrero

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1602

Average_duration

:

8:11

"Maria Magdalene" is a sacred work composed by Francisco Guerrero, a Spanish composer of the Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1580, and was premiered in Seville, Spain. It is a six-voice motet that is part of Guerrero's collection of sacred works, which includes masses, motets, and hymns. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is a slow and solemn introduction, with the voices singing in unison. The second movement is more lively and features a polyphonic texture, with the voices weaving in and out of each other. The third movement is a return to the slow and solemn style of the first movement, with the voices once again singing in unison. The text of "Maria Magdalene" is taken from the Gospel of John, and tells the story of Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus after his resurrection. The music reflects the emotional intensity of the text, with the slow and solemn sections conveying a sense of mourning and the more lively sections expressing joy and hope. One of the characteristics of Guerrero's music is his use of chromaticism, which adds a sense of tension and drama to the music. This can be heard in "Maria Magdalene" in the way the voices move in and out of dissonance, creating a sense of unease that is resolved in the more harmonious sections. Overall, "Maria Magdalene" is a beautiful and moving piece of sacred music that showcases Guerrero's skill as a composer. Its emotional depth and intricate polyphony make it a masterpiece of the Renaissance period.

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