Composer

:

Tomás Luis de Victoria

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1572

Average_duration

:

3:10

"Ne timeas, Maria" is a sacred motet composed by the Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, during the Renaissance period, and is considered one of Victoria's most famous works. The motet was first published in 1572 in Victoria's collection of motets, "Liber primus motettorum." The piece is written for four voices, with the text taken from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 30-31. The text is in Latin and translates to "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." The motet is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being in a homophonic style, while the second movement is in a polyphonic style. The first movement begins with a simple and gentle melody in the soprano voice, which is then echoed by the other voices. The second movement is more complex, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a contrapuntal style. The third movement returns to the simplicity of the first movement, with the voices coming together in a homophonic style to deliver the final message of the text. The characteristics of "Ne timeas, Maria" are typical of Victoria's style, which is characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and emotional intensity. The piece is notable for its use of dissonance, which creates a sense of tension and drama, and its use of chromaticism, which adds depth and richness to the harmonies. The piece also features Victoria's signature use of word painting, where the music reflects the meaning of the text, such as the use of descending lines to represent fear and ascending lines to represent hope. "Ne timeas, Maria" has remained a popular piece in the choral repertoire and is often performed during the Christmas season. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Victoria's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the human spirit.

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