Composer

:

Giovanni Bassano

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1591

Average_duration

:

6:23

Giovanni Bassano was an Italian composer and cornettist who lived during the Renaissance period. He was born in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, in 1558 and died in Venice in 1617. Bassano was a member of a famous family of musicians, and he was known for his virtuosic playing on the cornetto, a wind instrument that was popular during the Renaissance. One of Bassano's most famous compositions is "Tota pulchra es amica mea (after Palestrina)," which is a motet for four voices. The piece is based on a motet by the famous Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Bassano's version is a tribute to Palestrina's style and influence. "Tota pulchra es amica mea" was composed in the late 16th century, and it premiered in Venice, Italy. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which has its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is marked "Adagio" and is characterized by a slow, stately tempo. The voices enter one by one, creating a rich and complex texture. The harmonies are lush and full, and the piece is marked by a sense of reverence and awe. The second movement is marked "Allegro" and is much faster and more lively than the first. The voices are more active and energetic, and the harmonies are more complex and dissonant. This movement is marked by a sense of joy and celebration. The third movement is marked "Adagio" and is similar in tempo and character to the first movement. The voices are more subdued and contemplative, and the harmonies are more simple and serene. This movement is marked by a sense of peace and tranquility. Overall, "Tota pulchra es amica mea (after Palestrina)" is a beautiful and complex piece of music that showcases Bassano's skill as a composer and his reverence for the music of Palestrina. The piece is marked by a sense of reverence, joy, and peace, and it remains a beloved work of Renaissance music to this day.

More....