Composer

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Gregorian Chant

Genre

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Choral

Average_duration

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3:58

Missus est is a responsory in mode 7 of the Gregorian Chant, which is a form of plainchant that was developed in the medieval period. The responsory is part of the liturgy of the Catholic Church and is traditionally sung during the service of Vespers on the feast of the Annunciation, which is celebrated on March 25th. The composition of Missus est is attributed to an unknown composer from the medieval period, and it is believed to have been written in the 9th or 10th century. The piece is included in the Liber Hymnarius, which is a collection of chants that was compiled in the 11th century. Missus est is composed of two movements, which are sung in alternation between the choir and the cantor. The first movement begins with the words "Missus est Gabriel angelus ad Mariam virginem," which translate to "The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary." The choir responds with the words "Et ingressus, dixit: Ave, gratia plena, Dominus tecum," which mean "And entering, he said: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." The second movement begins with the words "Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum," which translate to "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word." The choir responds with the words "Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis," which mean "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." The characteristics of Missus est reflect the style of Gregorian Chant, which is characterized by its monophonic texture, free rhythm, and modal melodies. The piece is sung in a single line of melody, with no harmony or accompaniment, and the rhythm is flexible, with the length of the notes determined by the text. The melody is based on a modal scale, which gives it a distinctive sound that is different from the major and minor scales used in Western music. Overall, Missus est is a beautiful and expressive piece of music that has been sung in the Catholic Church for centuries. Its simple yet powerful melody and text convey the message of the Annunciation with clarity and emotion, making it a beloved part of the liturgy.

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