Composer

:

Guillaume Dufay

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Mass

Compose Date

:

ca. 1460

Average_duration

:

45:10

Guillaume Dufay's 'Missa L'Homme armé' is a polyphonic mass composed in the late 15th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1450 and 1460. The mass is based on the popular secular tune 'L'Homme armé', which was used as a cantus firmus in many other masses of the time. The 'Missa L'Homme armé' is divided into five movements: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Each movement is characterized by its use of the cantus firmus, which is heard in the tenor voice throughout the mass. Dufay's use of the cantus firmus is particularly notable in the Kyrie and Agnus Dei, where the melody is presented in long notes and serves as a foundation for the other voices. The mass is written for four voices, with the tenor carrying the cantus firmus and the other voices providing intricate polyphonic textures. Dufay's use of harmony is particularly striking, with unexpected chord progressions and dissonances adding depth and complexity to the music. The Gloria, in particular, features a rich and varied harmonic palette, with frequent shifts in tonality and texture. Overall, the 'Missa L'Homme armé' is a masterful example of late medieval polyphony. Dufay's use of the popular tune as a cantus firmus, combined with his innovative harmonies and intricate polyphonic textures, make this mass a landmark work of the period. Its premiere is unknown, but it was likely performed in a church setting, possibly in the chapel of the Sforza family in Milan, where Dufay was employed as a musician.

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