Composer

:

Philippe de Vitry

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

14th c.

Publication Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

01:45

'Quid scire proderit/Dantur officia (possibly authentic)' is a motet composed by Philippe de Vitry, a French composer, poet, and music theorist of the 14th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1320 and 1361. The motet is written in the Ars Nova style, which was a new musical style that emerged in the 14th century and was characterized by complex rhythms and harmonies. The motet consists of two movements, 'Quid scire proderit' and 'Dantur officia', which are both based on different texts. 'Quid scire proderit' is a philosophical text that explores the idea of knowledge and its usefulness, while 'Dantur officia' is a religious text that discusses the duties of a Christian. The first movement, 'Quid scire proderit', is written in three voices and is characterized by its complex rhythms and harmonies. The text is set to a complex rhythmic pattern known as a talea, which is a repeating rhythmic pattern that is used throughout the movement. The voices are also written in a complex rhythm known as a color, which is a repeating melodic pattern that is used throughout the movement. The result is a highly complex and intricate piece of music that is both challenging and rewarding to listen to. The second movement, 'Dantur officia', is written in four voices and is more straightforward than the first movement. The text is set to a simple rhythmic pattern, and the voices are written in a simple, homophonic style. The result is a more straightforward and accessible piece of music that is still highly effective. Overall, 'Quid scire proderit/Dantur officia (possibly authentic)' is a highly complex and intricate motet that showcases the Ars Nova style of music. It is a challenging piece of music that requires a high level of skill and understanding to perform, but it is also a highly rewarding piece of music that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

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