Composer

:

11th century French Polyphony Anonymous

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

9:46

'Viderunt omnes' is a 2-part organum composed by an anonymous French polyphonist in the 11th century. The piece is believed to have been written for the Christmas Day Mass at the Abbey of Sainte-Madeleine in Vézelay, France. The piece is notable for its use of parallel organum, a technique in which the second voice moves in parallel motion with the first voice, usually at a fixed interval. The piece is divided into two movements, with the first movement being a plainchant melody sung in unison by the choir. The second movement is the organum, which is sung by two voices in parallel motion. The organum is based on the plainchant melody, with the second voice singing a fixed interval above or below the first voice. The characteristics of the piece include the use of parallel organum, which was a common technique in early polyphony. The piece also features a clear and simple melody, which is typical of plainchant. The use of parallel motion creates a rich and full sound, which would have been well-suited to the acoustics of the Abbey of Sainte-Madeleine. The premiere of 'Viderunt omnes' would have taken place on Christmas Day in the 11th century at the Abbey of Sainte-Madeleine in Vézelay, France. The piece would have been performed by the choir of the abbey, which was renowned for its musical excellence. The piece has since become a staple of the early polyphonic repertoire and is still performed today by choirs around the world.

More....