Composer

:

John Dunstable

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. 1410 - 1453

Average_duration

:

2:12

'Speciosa facta es, MB 50' is a sacred motet composed by John Dunstable, a prominent English composer of the early 15th century. The piece is believed to have been composed around 1420-1430, during Dunstable's tenure as a musician at the court of John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford. The motet is written for four voices, with the text taken from the Song of Solomon. It is structured in three movements, with the first and third movements featuring a duet between the two upper voices, while the second movement is a four-part setting of the text. The first movement begins with a soaring melody in the alto voice, which is then joined by the soprano in a duet. The two voices weave around each other in a series of imitative phrases, creating a sense of fluidity and grace. The text, which describes the beauty of the beloved, is set to a melody that is both tender and passionate. The second movement is a more complex four-part setting of the text, with the tenor and bass voices joining in. The music is more densely textured, with the voices interweaving in a series of intricate counterpoint. The text, which speaks of the beloved's eyes and hair, is set to a melody that is both playful and sensuous. The third movement returns to the duet format of the first movement, with the alto and soprano voices once again taking center stage. The melody is more ornate and elaborate than in the first movement, with the two voices engaging in a series of virtuosic runs and trills. The text, which speaks of the beloved's lips and mouth, is set to a melody that is both tender and passionate. Overall, 'Speciosa facta es, MB 50' is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases Dunstable's mastery of polyphonic composition. The piece is characterized by its fluidity, grace, and sensuousness, and remains a beloved example of early Renaissance music to this day.

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