Composer

:

Robert Wylkynson

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

14:47

Robert Wylkynson's 'Salve Regina' is a polyphonic choral work that was composed in the late 15th century. It is believed to have been written for the choir of the Chapel Royal, where Wylkynson served as a singer and later as the Master of the Children. The piece is written in six parts and is considered one of the most complex and ambitious works of English polyphony from the period. The 'Salve Regina' is divided into five movements, each of which is based on a different section of the Marian antiphon. The first movement is a simple setting of the antiphon, with the voices entering one by one in a gentle, flowing melody. The second movement is a more complex setting of the same text, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in intricate counterpoint. The third movement is a setting of the text "Ad te clamamus," which is sung by the altos and tenors in a mournful, descending melody. The fourth movement is a setting of the text "Eia ergo," which is sung by the sopranos and basses in a lively, dance-like rhythm. The final movement is a setting of the text "O clemens," which is sung by all six voices in a rich, harmonious texture. Throughout the piece, Wylkynson employs a variety of compositional techniques, including imitation, canon, and hocket, to create a complex and intricate web of sound. One of the most striking characteristics of the 'Salve Regina' is its use of dissonance. Wylkynson frequently employs dissonant intervals and chords, which create a sense of tension and unease that is resolved only when the voices come back into harmony. This use of dissonance was a hallmark of English polyphony in the late medieval period and is one of the reasons why the 'Salve Regina' is considered such an important work. The 'Salve Regina' is believed to have been premiered at the Chapel Royal in the late 15th century, although the exact date is unknown. It has since become one of the most famous and beloved works of English choral music, and is still performed and recorded today.

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