Composer

:

Brian Ferneyhough

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Mass

Average_duration

:

14:26

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Missa Brevis is a choral work composed by Brian Ferneyhough in 1969. It premiered on May 22, 1970, at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in England. The piece is divided into five movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "Kyrie," is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and dissonant harmonies. The choir sings in a dense, polyphonic texture, with each voice part weaving in and out of the others. The second movement, "Gloria," is more rhythmically straightforward, with a driving, syncopated beat. The choir sings in a more homophonic texture, with the voices often singing in unison or in simple harmonies. The third movement, "Credo," is perhaps the most challenging of the five. It features complex rhythms and intricate counterpoint, with the choir often singing in overlapping phrases. The harmonies are dissonant and often atonal, creating a sense of tension and unease. The fourth movement, "Sanctus," is more serene and contemplative than the previous movements. The choir sings in a more legato style, with long, sustained notes and gentle harmonies. The final movement, "Agnus Dei," is a return to the complex rhythms and dissonant harmonies of the earlier movements. The choir sings in a dense, polyphonic texture, with each voice part weaving in and out of the others. Overall, Missa Brevis is a challenging and complex work that showcases Ferneyhough's mastery of rhythm and counterpoint. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and intricate textures, and it requires a skilled and experienced choir to perform it successfully. Despite its challenges, however, Missa Brevis is a powerful and moving work that continues to be performed and admired by audiences around the world.

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