Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1681 - 1682

Average_duration

:

11:33

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 'Supplication pro defunctis ad beatam Virginem, H. 328' is a sacred work composed in the Baroque era. It was written in the late 17th century, around 1680, during Charpentier's time as the music director at the Jesuit Church in Paris. The piece is a setting of the Catholic liturgical text 'Supplication for the Dead to the Blessed Virgin Mary', which is a prayer for the souls of the departed. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is a somber and mournful setting of the text, with the choir singing in unison and the organ providing a simple accompaniment. The second movement is more complex, with the choir singing in four-part harmony and the organ playing a more elaborate accompaniment. The third movement is a return to the simplicity of the first, with the choir once again singing in unison and the organ providing a gentle accompaniment. The piece is characterized by its use of polyphony, which is the technique of combining multiple voices or instruments to create a complex and harmonious sound. Charpentier's use of polyphony in 'Supplication pro defunctis ad beatam Virginem' creates a rich and layered texture that is both beautiful and moving. The piece also features a number of musical devices that were common in Baroque music, such as the use of suspensions and dissonances to create tension and resolution. Overall, 'Supplication pro defunctis ad beatam Virginem, H. 328' is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Charpentier's skill as a composer. Its premiere date is unknown, but it is likely that it was performed during Charpentier's time at the Jesuit Church in Paris. Today, it is still performed and appreciated by audiences around the world as a testament to the enduring power of sacred music.

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