Composer

:

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1569

Average_duration

:

5:13

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was a renowned Italian composer of the Renaissance period. He is known for his sacred music compositions, which were characterized by their clarity, balance, and purity of sound. One of his most famous works is the motet "Dum complerentur," which is part of his Motets Book I. "Dum complerentur" was composed in 1562 and premiered in Rome, Italy. It is a six-part motet, which means that it is written for six voices. The motet is based on a text from the Gospel of Luke, which describes the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The motet is divided into three movements, each of which has its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and contemplative, with the voices singing in a homophonic style. The second movement is faster and more lively, with the voices singing in a polyphonic style. The third movement is a return to the slower, contemplative style of the first movement. One of the characteristics of "Dum complerentur" is its use of imitative polyphony. This means that the voices imitate each other, creating a complex and intricate web of sound. Palestrina was a master of this technique, and it is one of the hallmarks of his style. Another characteristic of the motet is its use of dissonance. Palestrina was known for his skillful use of dissonance, which he used to create tension and release in his compositions. In "Dum complerentur," he uses dissonance to great effect, creating moments of intense emotion and drama. Overall, "Dum complerentur" is a masterpiece of Renaissance sacred music. Its clarity, balance, and purity of sound are a testament to Palestrina's skill as a composer, and its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless beauty.

More....