Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

5:43

Cantiga de Santa María 213, Quen serve Santa María, a Sennor mui verdadeira, is a medieval Spanish song composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. The song is part of a collection of 420 songs known as the Cantigas de Santa María, which were written in Galician-Portuguese and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Cantiga de Santa María 213 is a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary, who is described as a true and faithful lady. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct melody and rhythm. The first movement is a solo voice accompanied by a drone, which creates a hypnotic effect. The second movement is a duet between two voices, which creates a sense of harmony and unity. The third movement is a chorus, which brings together all the voices in a joyful celebration of the Virgin Mary. The Cantiga de Santa María 213 is characterized by its simple melody and repetitive rhythm, which make it easy to sing and remember. The song is also notable for its use of vernacular language, which was unusual for religious music at the time. Alfonso X wrote the Cantigas de Santa María in Galician-Portuguese, the language spoken by the common people of his kingdom, rather than in Latin, the language of the church. The Cantigas de Santa María were composed between 1257 and 1283, during the reign of Alfonso X as king of Castile and León. The collection was intended to promote the cult of the Virgin Mary and to encourage devotion to her among the people. The songs were performed at religious festivals and pilgrimages, and were also used as a tool for evangelization. The premiere of the Cantigas de Santa María is not known, but they were likely performed during Alfonso X's lifetime. The collection was rediscovered in the 19th century and has since become an important part of the medieval music repertoire. The Cantiga de Santa María 213, Quen serve Santa María, a Sennor mui verdadeira, is one of the most popular songs in the collection, and is still performed today by choirs and musicians around the world.

More....