Composer

:

Johannes Ciconia

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:40

'Albane, misse celitus/Albane, doctor maxime' is a motet composed by Johannes Ciconia, a prominent composer of the late medieval period. The piece is believed to have been composed in the early 15th century, although the exact date is unknown. The motet is written for four voices and is divided into two movements. The first movement, 'Albane, misse celitus', is a prayer to St. Alban, the first British martyr. The text is in Latin and is taken from the hymn 'Albanus, egregie martyrum decus'. The second movement, 'Albane, doctor maxime', is also a prayer to St. Alban, but this time the text is in French. The text is taken from a poem by Guillaume de Machaut, a contemporary of Ciconia. The first movement is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and intricate polyphony. The voices weave in and out of each other, creating a rich tapestry of sound. The second movement is more homophonic, with the voices singing in unison for much of the piece. However, there are still moments of polyphony, particularly in the final section of the piece. Overall, 'Albane, misse celitus/Albane, doctor maxime' is a beautiful example of late medieval music. It showcases Ciconia's skill as a composer and his ability to create complex and intricate works of art. The piece has been performed and recorded by many ensembles over the years and remains a beloved part of the medieval music repertoire.

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