Composer

:

Tomás Luis de Victoria

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1572

Average_duration

:

3:34

"Senex puerum portabat" is a motet composed by Tomás Luis de Victoria, a Spanish composer of the Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1580, and was likely written for the Christmas season. It is a four-voice motet, with the text taken from the Gospel of Luke, describing the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple by his parents. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being in triple meter and the second movement in duple meter. The first movement begins with a homophonic texture, with all four voices singing together in harmony. The second movement is more complex, with imitative polyphony and frequent use of suspensions. The third movement returns to the homophonic texture of the first movement, with a joyful and celebratory character. The piece is characterized by Victoria's use of rich harmonies and expressive dissonances, which create a sense of tension and release throughout the work. The use of suspensions in the second movement is particularly effective in creating a sense of longing and anticipation. The vocal lines are also highly expressive, with frequent use of melodic ornamentation and dynamic contrasts. Overall, "Senex puerum portabat" is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases Victoria's mastery of Renaissance polyphony. Its use of rich harmonies and expressive dissonances make it a powerful piece that is still performed and admired today.

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