Composer

:

Igor Stravinsky

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1955

First Performance

:

Sep 13, 1956

Average_duration

:

17:35

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Igor Stravinsky's "Canticum Sacrum ad honorem Sancti Marci nominis" is a choral work composed in 1955. It was commissioned by the city of Venice to celebrate the 1900th anniversary of the death of Saint Mark, the patron saint of the city. The piece premiered on September 13, 1956, at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice, with Stravinsky conducting. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "Deus in adjutorium meum intende," is a setting of the opening verse of Psalm 69. The second movement, "Lauda Jerusalem Dominum," is a setting of Psalm 147. The third movement, "Pater noster," is a setting of the Lord's Prayer. One of the most striking characteristics of "Canticum Sacrum" is its use of antiphonal choirs. The work is scored for two choirs, each with its own conductor, and the choirs are placed on opposite sides of the performance space. This creates a sense of spatial separation between the two choirs, which is used to great effect in the piece. Another notable characteristic of the work is its use of dissonance. Stravinsky employs a wide range of dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms, which give the piece a sense of tension and urgency. This is particularly evident in the first movement, which features a driving, syncopated rhythm and a series of dissonant chords. Despite its modernist tendencies, "Canticum Sacrum" also incorporates elements of traditional choral music. The second movement, for example, features a lush, polyphonic texture reminiscent of Renaissance choral music. This creates a sense of contrast with the more dissonant and rhythmically complex sections of the piece. Overall, "Canticum Sacrum ad honorem Sancti Marci nominis" is a powerful and innovative work that showcases Stravinsky's mastery of choral composition. Its use of antiphonal choirs, dissonance, and traditional choral techniques creates a unique and compelling musical experience.

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