Composer

:

Orlande de Lassus

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1582

Average_duration

:

2:33

Orlande de Lassus composed 'Christus resurgens ex mortuis' for 5 voices, M. xii (S. v/54) in the late 16th century. The piece is a motet, which is a type of choral composition that is typically sacred in nature. It was likely composed for use in the Catholic liturgy, as Lassus was a devout Catholic and spent much of his career working for the church. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which has its own distinct character and musical style. The first movement is marked "Allegro" and is characterized by its lively, energetic rhythm and bright, joyful harmonies. The second movement is marked "Adagio" and is much slower and more contemplative in nature. The final movement is marked "Allegro" and is similar in style to the first movement, with its lively rhythm and joyful harmonies. One of the most notable characteristics of 'Christus resurgens ex mortuis' is its use of polyphony, which is a musical technique that involves multiple voices singing different melodies at the same time. Lassus was a master of polyphony, and this piece showcases his skill in this area. The five voices in the piece are all given equal importance, and they weave in and out of each other in a complex and intricate pattern. Another notable characteristic of the piece is its use of word painting, which is a technique that involves using musical elements to reflect the meaning of the text being sung. For example, in the first movement, the word "resurgens" (rising) is accompanied by a rising melody, while the word "mortuis" (dead) is accompanied by a descending melody. 'Christus resurgens ex mortuis' premiered in the late 16th century, likely in a church setting. It has since become a beloved piece of choral music and is still performed today by choirs around the world. Its joyful, uplifting character and intricate polyphony make it a true masterpiece of Renaissance music.

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