Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1611

Average_duration

:

4:11

'Aestimatus sum, W. 7/87' is a sacred vocal composition composed by Carlo Gesualdo, an Italian composer and nobleman of the late Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1590, and is believed to have been premiered in Gesualdo's private chapel in his castle in Naples. The composition is a setting of Psalm 72, which is a prayer for the king's prosperity and justice. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the psalm's text. The first movement is a setting of the opening verses of the psalm, which express the king's desire for justice and righteousness. The music is characterized by its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and unease. The vocal lines are highly expressive, with frequent leaps and changes in dynamics. The second movement is a setting of the middle verses of the psalm, which describe the king's power and dominion. The music is more subdued than the first movement, with a slower tempo and a more homophonic texture. The vocal lines are still highly expressive, but the chromaticism and dissonance are less pronounced. The third movement is a setting of the closing verses of the psalm, which express the king's desire for eternal glory. The music is characterized by its use of polyphony, with multiple vocal lines weaving in and out of each other. The vocal lines are highly ornamented, with frequent trills and melismatic passages. Overall, 'Aestimatus sum, W. 7/87' is a highly expressive and complex composition that reflects Gesualdo's unique style and approach to music. The piece is characterized by its use of chromaticism and dissonance, as well as its highly expressive vocal lines and intricate polyphony.

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