Composer

:

Nicolaus a Kempis

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1647

Average_duration

:

5:02

Ad te suspiro, Op. 2 is a choral work composed by Nicolaus a Kempis, a Dutch composer and organist, in the late 16th century. The piece was likely composed in the early 1590s, and it premiered in the Netherlands shortly thereafter. Ad te suspiro is a four-movement work for four-part choir, with each movement featuring a different text. The first movement, "Ad te suspiro," is a setting of a Latin text that translates to "To you I sigh." The second movement, "O quam suavis est," sets a text from the Song of Solomon that translates to "Oh, how sweet is your love." The third movement, "Veni, dilecte mi," sets a text from the same book of the Bible that translates to "Come, my beloved." The final movement, "Ave Maria," is a setting of the traditional Latin prayer to the Virgin Mary. The characteristics of Ad te suspiro are typical of the late Renaissance period. The work features imitative polyphony, with each voice part taking turns presenting the melodic material. The harmonies are often rich and complex, with dissonances used for expressive effect. The text is set in a clear and declamatory manner, with the music serving to enhance the meaning of the words. Overall, Ad te suspiro is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases the talents of Nicolaus a Kempis as a composer. Its combination of intricate polyphony and expressive harmonies make it a standout work of the late Renaissance period.

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