Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1603

Average_duration

:

4:49

'Ave, dulcissima Maria, W. 8/17' is a sacred vocal composition composed by Carlo Gesualdo, an Italian nobleman and composer of the late Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1590, and is believed to have been premiered in Gesualdo's private chapel in his castle in Naples. The composition is a five-voice motet, with the text taken from the liturgy of the Catholic Church. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being in triple meter and the second movement in duple meter. The first movement is a joyful and celebratory setting of the text, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in intricate polyphony. The second movement is more contemplative, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The third movement returns to the joyful mood of the first movement, with the voices once again interweaving in complex polyphony. One of the most striking characteristics of 'Ave, dulcissima Maria' is Gesualdo's use of chromaticism. Gesualdo was known for his highly expressive and experimental approach to harmony, and this piece is no exception. The chromaticism creates a sense of tension and unease, which is particularly effective in the second movement, where the text speaks of the sorrow of Mary at the foot of the cross. Overall, 'Ave, dulcissima Maria' is a beautiful and complex piece of sacred music, showcasing Gesualdo's unique approach to harmony and his skill in polyphonic writing. It remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire to this day.

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