Composer

:

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Offertory

Compose Date

:

1593

Average_duration

:

3:11

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's "Super flumina Babylonis" is a sacred choral work that was composed in the late 16th century. It is part of his collection of Complete Offertories, which were written for use in the Catholic liturgy. The piece is based on Psalm 137, which describes the Israelites' captivity in Babylon and their longing for Jerusalem. "Super flumina Babylonis" premiered in Rome, Italy, where Palestrina was working as a composer and choirmaster. The exact date of its premiere is unknown, but it was likely performed during a Mass or other religious service in the late 16th century. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which has its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is a slow and mournful setting of the psalm text, with the choir singing in unison. The second movement is more lively and features a polyphonic texture, with different vocal parts weaving in and out of each other. The third movement returns to the slower tempo of the first, but with a more complex and intricate vocal arrangement. One of the most notable characteristics of "Super flumina Babylonis" is its use of dissonance. Palestrina was known for his skill in handling dissonance in a way that was both expressive and harmonically satisfying. In this piece, he uses dissonant chords and suspensions to create a sense of tension and longing, which reflects the psalm text's themes of captivity and exile. Overall, "Super flumina Babylonis" is a masterful example of Palestrina's skill as a composer of sacred choral music. Its expressive use of dissonance, intricate vocal arrangements, and careful attention to the text make it a powerful and moving work that continues to be performed and admired today.

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