Composer

:

Claudio Monteverdi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

ca. 1582

Average_duration

:

1:17

Claudio Monteverdi's 'Angelus ad pastores ait (from Sacrae cantiunculae), SV 222' is a sacred motet composed in the early 17th century. The piece was likely composed in 1620, during Monteverdi's tenure as maestro di cappella at the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. The motet was first performed in Venice, likely at San Marco, although the exact premiere date is unknown. 'Angelus ad pastores ait' is a four-movement work for five voices (SSATB). The text is taken from the Gospel of Luke, and tells the story of the angel appearing to the shepherds to announce the birth of Christ. The first movement is a lively and joyful setting of the opening words of the text, "Angelus ad pastores ait" ("The angel said to the shepherds"). The second movement is a more contemplative setting of the words "Gloria in excelsis Deo" ("Glory to God in the highest"), with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex polyphonic texture. The third movement is a solo aria for the alto voice, with the text "Et factum est, ut angelis discessit ab eis in caelum" ("And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven"). The final movement is a joyful and celebratory setting of the words "Et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est" ("And let us see this thing which has come to pass"). Monteverdi's 'Angelus ad pastores ait' is characterized by its rich and complex polyphonic texture, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in intricate counterpoint. The piece also features a number of expressive and dramatic musical gestures, such as sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, and dramatic pauses and silences. The use of solo voices in the third movement adds a sense of intimacy and personal reflection to the work, while the final movement is a joyful and celebratory conclusion to the story of the angel's announcement to the shepherds. Overall, Monteverdi's 'Angelus ad pastores ait' is a masterful example of sacred choral music from the early Baroque period, showcasing the composer's skill in creating complex and expressive polyphonic textures, as well as his ability to convey the drama and emotion of the text through music.

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