Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

6:25

Cantiga de Santa María 383, also known as "O ffondo do mar tan chæo faz come a terra dura," was composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. It is part of a collection of over 400 songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as the Cantigas de Santa María. The premiere of this particular cantiga is unknown, but it was likely performed in the royal court of Alfonso X in Seville, Spain. The song is written in Galician-Portuguese, a language spoken in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The cantiga is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct melody and rhythm. The first movement is in a lively 6/8 time signature and features a solo voice accompanied by a tambourine. The second movement is slower and more contemplative, with a 4/4 time signature and a fuller instrumental accompaniment. The final movement returns to the lively 6/8 rhythm of the first movement, with the addition of a chorus of voices. The lyrics of the cantiga tell the story of a sailor who is lost at sea and prays to the Virgin Mary for help. The sailor describes the depths of the ocean as being as hard as the earth, and the waves as high as mountains. Despite the danger, the sailor trusts in the protection of the Virgin Mary and is eventually rescued. The music of Cantiga de Santa María 383 is characterized by its use of traditional Galician-Portuguese melodies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of Arabic and Jewish musical influences. The use of a solo voice in the first movement and a chorus in the final movement is also typical of medieval Spanish music. Overall, Cantiga de Santa María 383 is a beautiful example of medieval Spanish music and a testament to the enduring popularity of the Virgin Mary as a subject of devotion and inspiration.

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