Composer

:

Orlande de Lassus

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1604

Average_duration

:

3:51

Orlande de Lassus, also known as Roland de Lassus, was a prominent composer of the late Renaissance period. He was born in Mons, Belgium in 1532 and spent most of his career in Munich, Germany, where he served as a court musician for the Duke of Bavaria. Lassus was a prolific composer, producing over 2,000 works in a variety of genres, including masses, motets, madrigals, and chansons. One of Lassus' most famous works is his Salve Regina mater, for 8 voices, M. xix (S. xxi/18). This piece is a setting of the Salve Regina, a Marian hymn that is traditionally sung during the season of Lent. Lassus' setting is scored for two choirs of four voices each, with the voices divided into soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The Salve Regina mater is divided into five movements, each of which corresponds to a different verse of the hymn. The first movement is a simple, homophonic setting of the first verse, with the two choirs alternating phrases. The second movement is more complex, with the two choirs singing in imitation of each other. The third movement is a duet between the two soprano voices, accompanied by the other six voices singing in harmony. The fourth movement is a setting of the fourth verse, which is traditionally sung during the season of Advent. This movement is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and anticipation. The final movement is a joyful setting of the fifth verse, with the two choirs singing in harmony and the voices gradually building to a climax. Overall, the Salve Regina mater is a beautiful and complex work that showcases Lassus' skill as a composer. Its use of two choirs and intricate vocal writing make it a challenging piece to perform, but also a rewarding one for both performers and listeners. The piece was likely composed in the late 1560s or early 1570s and premiered in Munich, where Lassus was working at the time.

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