Composer

:

Giaches de Wert

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1581

Average_duration

:

4:33

Peccavi super numerum is a sacred motet composed by Giaches de Wert, an Italian composer of the late Renaissance period. The motet was composed in 1581 and premiered in Mantua, Italy. It is a six-voice composition that is characterized by its complex polyphonic texture and expressive harmonies. The motet is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text from the Book of Psalms. The first movement is based on Psalm 50:3, "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me." The second movement is based on Psalm 31:10, "For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed." The third movement is based on Psalm 38:4, "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me." The motet begins with a solemn and introspective opening section, in which the voices sing in a homophonic texture. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the voices overlapping and interweaving in a complex polyphonic texture. The harmonies are rich and expressive, with dissonances and suspensions adding to the emotional impact of the music. The second movement is more subdued, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The voices sing in a more homophonic texture, with the harmonies emphasizing the melancholy and introspective nature of the text. The final movement is the most intense and dramatic of the three. The music is characterized by its driving rhythms and complex polyphonic texture. The voices sing in a more declamatory style, with the harmonies emphasizing the weight and burden of sin. Overall, Peccavi super numerum is a powerful and emotionally charged composition that showcases Giaches de Wert's mastery of polyphonic writing and expressive harmonies. Its complex textures and rich harmonies make it a challenging and rewarding work for both performers and listeners alike.

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