Composer

:

Philippe de Vitry

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

3:37

Philippe de Vitry was a French composer, poet, and music theorist who lived in the 14th century. He was one of the most important composers of the Ars Nova, a period of musical innovation that took place in France during the late Middle Ages. One of his most famous works is the motet "Tribum/Quoniam secta/Merito hec patimur," which was composed around 1320. The motet is written for three voices and is divided into three movements. The first movement, "Tribum," is based on a text from the Book of Psalms. The second movement, "Quoniam secta," is a commentary on the state of the Church at the time, which was divided by various sects and heresies. The third movement, "Merito hec patimur," is a lament for the suffering of the Church and a plea for divine intervention. The motet is characterized by its complex rhythmic and melodic structures, which were innovative for the time. Vitry was one of the first composers to use isorhythm, a technique in which a repeating rhythmic pattern is combined with a repeating melodic pattern. This creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the piece, despite the complexity of the individual parts. Vitry was also known for his use of hocket, a technique in which the melody is divided between two or more voices, with each voice singing a portion of the melody in turn. This creates a sense of rhythmic interplay and adds to the complexity of the piece. Overall, "Tribum/Quoniam secta/Merito hec patimur" is a masterpiece of the Ars Nova period, showcasing Vitry's innovative approach to composition and his mastery of complex rhythmic and melodic structures. Its themes of religious devotion and lamentation for the state of the Church are still relevant today, making it a timeless work of art.

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