Composer

:

Orlande de Lassus

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Requiem

Publication Date

:

1589

Average_duration

:

33:54

Orlande de Lassus' 'Missa Pro defunctis, for 5 voices, H. vi/135' is a masterpiece of Renaissance polyphony. It was composed in the late 16th century and premiered in Munich, Germany. The mass is divided into six movements: Introitus, Kyrie, Graduale, Offertorium, Sanctus-Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. The Introitus sets the tone for the entire mass with its somber and mournful character. The Kyrie is a plea for mercy and forgiveness, with the voices intertwining in complex polyphony. The Graduale is a gradual ascent towards the light, with the voices rising in intensity and volume. The Offertorium is a prayer for the dead, with the voices expressing sorrow and grief. The Sanctus-Benedictus is a joyful celebration of the divine, with the voices soaring in exultation. The Agnus Dei is a final plea for mercy and peace, with the voices gradually fading away into silence. The 'Missa Pro defunctis' is characterized by its intricate polyphony, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex web of sound. The harmonies are rich and expressive, with dissonances resolving into consonances in a way that is both satisfying and emotionally powerful. The text is treated with great sensitivity, with the music reflecting the meaning of the words in a way that is both subtle and profound. Overall, the 'Missa Pro defunctis' is a masterpiece of Renaissance polyphony, a testament to the genius of Orlande de Lassus and a powerful expression of the human experience of grief and loss.

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