Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1680

Average_duration

:

3:32

Henry Purcell's 'In nomine for 7 viols in G minor, Z. 747' is a piece of instrumental music that was composed in the late 17th century. The piece is believed to have been written around 1680, during Purcell's tenure as the organist at Westminster Abbey. It is a work for seven viols, which were a type of bowed string instrument that was popular in England during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The 'In nomine' is a type of instrumental composition that was popular in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. It is based on a section of a Mass by the composer John Taverner, which was known as the 'Gloria tibi Trinitas'. The section that was used as the basis for the 'In nomine' was the plainchant melody that was sung during the words "in nomine Domini" ("in the name of the Lord"). The 'In nomine' became a popular form of instrumental music in England, and many composers, including Purcell, wrote pieces in this style. The 'In nomine for 7 viols in G minor, Z. 747' is a relatively short piece, consisting of a single movement that lasts around three minutes. The piece is characterized by its somber and melancholy mood, which is typical of the 'In nomine' style. The seven viols are divided into two groups: a treble, two tenors, and a bass on one side, and a treble, a tenor, and a bass on the other. The two groups play in alternation, creating a rich and complex texture. The piece begins with a slow and mournful introduction, in which the viols play the 'In nomine' melody in unison. This is followed by a series of variations on the melody, which are characterized by their intricate counterpoint and chromatic harmonies. The variations become increasingly complex and dissonant, before returning to the original melody for the final section of the piece. The 'In nomine for 7 viols in G minor, Z. 747' is a masterpiece of English instrumental music, and a testament to Purcell's skill as a composer. Its somber and melancholy mood, intricate counterpoint, and chromatic harmonies make it a haunting and unforgettable work.

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