Composer

:

Josquin Des Prez

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

7:02

'O virgo virginum' is a motet composed by Josquin Des Prez, a prominent composer of the Renaissance period. The piece is believed to have been composed in the late 15th century, although the exact date is unknown. It was likely written for the Christmas season, as it is a setting of a text from the antiphon for the Magnificat at Vespers on the feast of the Nativity. The motet is written for four voices, with the text in Latin. It is structured in three movements, with the first and third movements being in duple meter and the second movement in triple meter. The first movement is a setting of the antiphon text, "O virgo virginum, quomodo fiet istud? Quia nec primam similem visa es nec habere sequentem. Filiae Jerusalem, quid me admiramini? Divinum est mysterium hoc quod cernitis." The second movement is a setting of the text, "Gabriel angelus apparuit Mariae, et verbum caro factum est." The third movement returns to the antiphon text. The motet is characterized by its use of imitation, with each voice taking turns presenting the melodic material. The voices are often paired in imitation, with the soprano and alto voices presenting a motif that is then imitated by the tenor and bass voices. The piece also features a number of melodic and rhythmic variations, with each repetition of the text being slightly different from the previous one. Overall, 'O virgo virginum' is a beautiful example of Renaissance polyphony, showcasing Josquin's skill in creating complex and intricate vocal textures. Its use of imitation and variation make it a captivating piece to listen to, and its setting of the Christmas text adds to its emotional impact.

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