Composer

:

Giovanni Pergolesi

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1736 - 1736

Average_duration

:

33:55

Movement_count

:

13

Movement ....

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Stabat Mater in F major is a sacred choral work that was composed in the early 18th century. The piece was first performed in Naples in 1736, just a few months before Pergolesi's untimely death at the age of 26. The Stabat Mater is a setting of the medieval Latin hymn that describes the sorrow of Mary as she stands at the foot of the cross of her son, Jesus. The Stabat Mater in F major is divided into twelve movements, each of which is relatively short and focused on a particular aspect of the text. The first movement, for example, is a duet for soprano and alto that sets the opening lines of the hymn. The second movement is a solo for alto that describes Mary's grief as she watches her son suffer. The third movement is a duet for soprano and alto that expresses the pain that Mary feels as she witnesses the crucifixion. The fourth movement is a solo for soprano that describes the wounds that Jesus suffered on the cross. The fifth movement is a duet for soprano and alto that expresses the desire of Mary to share in her son's suffering. The sixth movement is a solo for alto that describes the sorrow that Mary feels as she watches her son die. The seventh movement is a duet for soprano and alto that expresses the hope that Mary has for her son's resurrection. The eighth movement is a solo for soprano that describes the joy that Mary feels when she sees her son risen from the dead. The ninth movement is a duet for soprano and alto that expresses the gratitude that Mary feels for her son's sacrifice. The tenth movement is a solo for alto that describes the fear that Mary feels as she watches her son ascend into heaven. The eleventh movement is a duet for soprano and alto that expresses the hope that Mary has for her own salvation. The final movement is a duet for soprano and alto that expresses the desire of Mary to be reunited with her son in heaven. The Stabat Mater in F major is characterized by its simple and elegant melodies, its expressive harmonies, and its sensitive treatment of the text. Pergolesi's use of duets and solos allows for a variety of textures and moods, and his skillful use of counterpoint adds depth and complexity to the music. The Stabat Mater in F major is a masterpiece of sacred music that continues to be performed and admired today.

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