Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Cantiga

Average_duration

:

4:35

Cantiga de Santa María 7, also known as Santa María amar, is a medieval Spanish song composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. It is part of a collection of 420 songs called the Cantigas de Santa María, which were written in Galician-Portuguese and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Cantiga de Santa María 7 tells the story of a man who falls in love with a woman but is rejected by her. He then turns to the Virgin Mary for help and she appears to him in a dream, telling him to pray to her and promising to help him win the woman's love. The man follows her advice and is eventually successful in his pursuit. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own melody and rhythm. The first movement is in a lively 6/8 time signature and features a solo voice accompanied by a tambourine and a drone instrument called a vielle. The second movement is slower and more contemplative, with a simple melody and a drone accompaniment. The third movement returns to the lively 6/8 rhythm of the first, with a more complex melody and a fuller instrumental accompaniment. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Cantiga de Santa María 7 is its use of the vielle, which provides a constant drone throughout the song. This creates a hypnotic effect that is typical of medieval music and adds to the song's mystical and spiritual quality. The tambourine also plays an important role, providing a rhythmic pulse that drives the song forward. The Cantigas de Santa María were composed between 1257 and 1283 and were intended to be performed at the court of Alfonso X. They are notable for their use of vernacular language and their focus on the Virgin Mary, who was a popular figure in medieval Spain. The songs were also notable for their use of musical notation, which was still a relatively new development at the time. Overall, the Cantiga de Santa María 7 is a beautiful and haunting example of medieval Spanish music. Its combination of simple melodies, hypnotic drones, and spiritual themes make it a timeless piece that continues to be performed and appreciated today.

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