Composer

:

Cipriano de Rore

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

before 1550

Average_duration

:

5:10

'Plange quasi virgo' is a sacred motet composed by Cipriano de Rore in the late 16th century. The piece was written for five voices and is based on the text of the Lamentations of Jeremiah. It was premiered in the chapel of the Duke of Ferrara in Italy, where Rore was employed as a court musician. The motet is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The second movement is faster and more rhythmic, with the voices imitating each other in a polyphonic texture. The third movement returns to the slow and mournful character of the first, with the voices singing in a more complex polyphonic texture. The text of the motet is taken from the Lamentations of Jeremiah, a book of the Old Testament that describes the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The text is a lament for the city and its people, and the music reflects this sense of mourning and loss. The use of chromaticism and dissonance in the music adds to the sense of sadness and despair. Overall, 'Plange quasi virgo' is a powerful and emotional piece of music that reflects the religious and cultural context of its time. It is a testament to Rore's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

More....