Composer

:

Cristóbal de Morales

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

6:15

Missus Est Gabriel is a sacred choral work composed by Cristóbal de Morales, a Spanish composer of the Renaissance period. The piece is a motet, which is a type of sacred choral music that was popular during the Renaissance. It was composed in the 16th century, during the height of the Renaissance period. The piece is believed to have been composed for the Feast of the Annunciation, which is celebrated on March 25th. The Annunciation is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus Christ. The text of the piece is taken from the Gospel of Luke, where the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and says, "Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." Missus Est Gabriel is divided into three movements. The first movement is a polyphonic setting of the text "Missus est Gabriel," which means "Gabriel was sent." The second movement is a setting of the text "Ave Maria," which means "Hail Mary." The third movement is a setting of the text "Ecce ancilla Domini," which means "Behold the handmaid of the Lord." The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies and intricate polyphony. Morales was known for his use of chromaticism, which is the use of notes outside of the traditional diatonic scale. This gives the piece a sense of tension and resolution, which is a hallmark of Renaissance music. Overall, Missus Est Gabriel is a beautiful example of Renaissance choral music. Its intricate harmonies and use of chromaticism make it a challenging piece for choirs to perform, but its beauty and emotional depth make it a favorite among audiences and performers alike.

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