Composer

:

Orlande de Lassus

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:06

'Hostis herodes impie, H. xviii/26' is a sacred motet composed by Orlande de Lassus in the late 16th century. The piece was likely composed in Munich, where Lassus was employed as the court composer for Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria. The motet was first published in 1582 as part of Lassus' collection of motets entitled 'Liber primus sacrarum cantionum'. The piece is written for four voices (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) and is based on a Latin text that tells the story of the massacre of the innocents by King Herod. The text is divided into three sections, each of which is set to a different musical theme. The first section is a somber and mournful setting of the text, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The second section is more lively and features imitative polyphony, with the voices echoing each other in a call-and-response style. The final section returns to the mournful mood of the opening, with the voices singing in a more complex and contrapuntal texture. One of the most striking characteristics of 'Hostis herodes impie' is its use of chromaticism. Lassus employs a number of chromatic harmonies and melodic lines throughout the piece, which gives it a sense of tension and unease. This use of chromaticism was a hallmark of Lassus' style and was influential on later composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach. The motet was likely composed for performance during the Christmas season, as it tells the story of the massacre of the innocents, which is traditionally associated with the Nativity. The piece has remained popular in the centuries since its composition and has been performed and recorded by numerous choirs and vocal ensembles. Its haunting beauty and powerful emotional impact continue to captivate audiences to this day.

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