Composer

:

William Byrd

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Anthem

Average_duration

:

8:25

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

"Ne irascaris" is a sacred motet composed by William Byrd, an English composer of the Renaissance period. The piece was composed in 1585 and premiered in the Chapel Royal of Queen Elizabeth I. It is a six-part motet, meaning it is written for six voices, and is considered one of Byrd's most complex and challenging works. The motet is divided into two movements, with the first movement being a setting of the text from Isaiah 64:9-10, and the second movement being a setting of the text from Psalm 79:5-6. The first movement is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which creates a sense of tension and urgency in the music. The second movement, on the other hand, is more contemplative and introspective, with a slower tempo and more lyrical melodies. One of the most notable characteristics of "Ne irascaris" is its use of word painting, which is a technique where the music reflects the meaning of the text. For example, in the first movement, the word "fervor" is set to a high, intense note, while the word "terra" (earth) is set to a low, grounded note. This creates a sense of contrast and drama in the music, and helps to emphasize the meaning of the text. Overall, "Ne irascaris" is a complex and challenging work that showcases Byrd's mastery of polyphony and his ability to create music that is both expressive and meaningful. Its use of word painting and chromaticism make it a standout work of the Renaissance period, and it continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars today.

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