Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

4:55

The Cantiga de Santa María 163, "Pode por Santa María o mao perde-la fala," was composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. It is part of a collection of over 400 songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as the Cantigas de Santa María. The collection was written in Galician-Portuguese, a language spoken in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The premiere of the Cantiga de Santa María 163 is unknown, but it was likely performed in the royal court of Alfonso X. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is a solo vocal line accompanied by a drone-like instrument, possibly a hurdy-gurdy or a vielle. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a narrow range of notes. The lyrics describe a man who loses his ability to speak after insulting the Virgin Mary. He prays to her for forgiveness and is miraculously cured. The second movement features a chorus of voices singing in harmony. The melody is more complex than the first movement, with a wider range of notes and more intricate rhythms. The lyrics describe the man's gratitude to the Virgin Mary for restoring his speech. The third movement returns to the solo vocal line accompanied by the drone-like instrument. The melody is similar to the first movement, but with some variations. The lyrics describe the man's devotion to the Virgin Mary and his promise to always honor her. Overall, the Cantiga de Santa María 163 is a simple yet powerful song that reflects the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of medieval Spain. Its use of repetition, drone-like accompaniment, and simple melodies are characteristic of the Galician-Portuguese musical style. The song's message of repentance, forgiveness, and devotion to the Virgin Mary would have resonated with the Christian audience of the time.

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