Composer

:

William Byrd

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

3:44

'Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini?' is a sacred motet composed by William Byrd, an English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1590, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was first performed in the Chapel Royal, London, and was later published in Byrd's collection of Gradualia in 1605. The motet is written for four voices, SATB, and is divided into three movements. The first movement is in a homophonic style, with all four voices singing together in harmony. The second movement is a solo for the alto voice, which is accompanied by the other three voices. The third movement returns to the homophonic style of the first movement, with all four voices singing together again. The text of the motet is taken from the Acts of the Apostles, and is a setting of the Ascension story. The title, 'Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini?', translates to 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up?' The text describes the moment when Jesus ascends into heaven, and the apostles are left staring up at the sky in wonder. The music of the motet reflects the text, with a sense of awe and wonder in the opening homophonic section. The solo section for the alto voice is more introspective, with a sense of longing and sadness. The final section returns to the sense of wonder and awe, with the voices building to a climax as they sing of Jesus ascending into heaven. Overall, 'Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini?' is a beautiful example of Byrd's skill as a composer of sacred music. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and sensitive treatment of the text. It remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire to this day, and is often performed in church services and concerts.

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