Stabat Mater
For 8 voices divided into 2 choirs
(Motet)
Listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EWvz3ivfiI
Renaissance Music Project
Andrea Scalia: Early Music
Andrea Scalia: Early Music
With notation of all 8 voices
and English translation of libretto
Composed: 1589/90
Duration: 9.10 mins. (approx.)
Stabat Mater is music for Lent. It is a 13th century hymn in Latin to Mary which describes her suffering when Jesus is crucified. It was composed for two separate choirs, each comprised of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. It is in the Venetian style.
Lyrics (verse 1):
Stabat Mater Dolorosa
At the Cross, her station keeping
Juxta cruxem lacrimosa
Stood the mournful mother weeping
Dum pendebat Filius
Close to her son, to the last.
It was composed in the final years of
Palestrina’s life for Pope Gregory XIV. When it was presented to the Papal
choir it made a sensation. It was retained as the exclusive property of the Papal
choir to be performed by them every Palm Sunday.
Giovanni Palestrina (1525-1594) was a composer who lived during the time of the Italian Renaissance. He composed more than 105 Masses, and 250 motets - many of which are based on the Song of Solomon. He also wrote a book of madrigals in 1555. He composed sacred as well as secular music. Palestrina was born in Palestrina, Italy. He is regarded as the greatest composer of Catholic church music.
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Sources: discogs(dot)com; stabatmater(dot)info; wikipedia
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