Composer

:

William Byrd

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

10:19

"Ad Dominum cum tribularer" is a sacred motet composed by William Byrd, an English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1580, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was first performed in the Chapel Royal, where Byrd was a Gentleman of the Chapel. The motet is written for four voices, with the text taken from Psalm 120. It is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement is marked "Ad Dominum cum tribularer," which translates to "When I was in trouble, I cried out to the Lord." This movement is in a minor key and has a mournful, introspective character. The second movement, marked "Levavi oculos meos," which translates to "I lift up my eyes," is in a major key and has a more hopeful, uplifting character. The final movement, marked "Miserere nostri," which translates to "Have mercy on us," returns to the minor key and has a pleading, supplicatory character. The motet is characterized by Byrd's use of rich harmonies and expressive dissonances, which create a sense of tension and release throughout the piece. The vocal lines are highly melismatic, with each syllable of the text given its own melodic ornamentation. This creates a sense of fluidity and movement in the music, as the voices weave in and out of each other. Overall, "Ad Dominum cum tribularer" is a powerful and emotionally charged work that showcases Byrd's mastery of the sacred motet form. Its combination of expressive harmonies, melismatic vocal lines, and deeply felt text make it a timeless masterpiece of Renaissance choral music.

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