Composer

:

Antonio de Cabezón

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

1:23

"Ave maris stella, de Hernando de Cabeçon. Lleva el canto llano el contrabaxo" is a beautiful and haunting piece of music composed by Antonio de Cabezón. It is a setting of the hymn "Ave maris stella," which is a hymn to the Virgin Mary that has been sung in the Catholic Church for centuries. The piece was composed in the 16th century, during the Renaissance period. It was first performed in the court of King Philip II of Spain, where Cabezón was the court organist. The premiere date is not known, but it is believed to have been sometime in the 1560s. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the hymn. The first movement is a simple and elegant setting of the first verse, which praises the Virgin Mary as the star of the sea. The second movement is more complex, with intricate counterpoint and a more somber tone. It is based on the second verse of the hymn, which asks the Virgin Mary to intercede for us with her son, Jesus. The third movement is a joyful and triumphant setting of the third verse, which praises the Virgin Mary as the gate of heaven. One of the most striking characteristics of the piece is the use of the contrabass, or bass viol, to carry the plainchant melody. This was a common technique in Renaissance music, but it is particularly effective in this piece, as it gives the melody a deep and resonant quality that is both beautiful and haunting. Overall, "Ave maris stella, de Hernando de Cabeçon. Lleva el canto llano el contrabaxo" is a masterpiece of Renaissance music. Its simple yet elegant melodies, intricate counterpoint, and use of the contrabass make it a timeless and unforgettable piece of music.

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