Nick Metry

Choral Literature

16 November 2023

Dr. Hatteberg

Motets

De nition:

- A motet is a vocal musical composition, typically in polyphonic form, developed in

the medieval and Renaissance eras.

Origin:

- Motets originated in the 13th century as a distinctive form of vocal music during the

medieval period.

- The term "motet" is derived from the French word "mot," meaning word. This re ects

its early connection to the addition of words to pre-existing musical compositions.

- Motets evolved from earlier forms of medieval polyphony, particularly from a style

known as organum, where additional voices were added to existing Gregorian chant

melodies.

- Initially, motets were associated with sacred music and were often performed in a

liturgical context within religious settings.

- One of the de ning features of early motets was their polyphonic nature, featuring

multiple independent melodic lines sung simultaneously.

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 - While rooted in the sacred, motets gradually expanded to include secular themes,

allowing composers greater freedom in choosing subjects for their compositions.

- Motets featured a variety of texts, including biblical passages, liturgical texts, and

eventually texts in various languages, both sacred and secular.

- Composers experimented with di erent musical techniques within the motet,

contributing to the genre's development and its eventual signi cance in the

Renaissance period.

Early Development:

- Initially, motets were based on existing Gregorian chant melodies, with added voices
creating intricate polyphony.

- One key feature was polyphony, involving the simultaneous interweaving of multiple

independent melodic lines. This complexity set motets apart from simpler musical

forms of the time.

- Motets often featured multiple layers of text sung simultaneously. This could include

di erent texts in di erent languages, creating a rich and intricate musical tapestry.

- Many early motets were composed anonymously, with the focus on the collective

beauty of the musical structure rather than individual authorship.

- Di erent regions in Europe contributed to the development of motets, resulting in

variations in style and structure across medieval musical traditions.

Renaissance Period (15th-16th Centuries):

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- The Renaissance marked a signi cant phase in the evolution of the motet, bringing
about changes in style, structure, and expressive possibilities.

- Composer Josquin des Prez played a crucial role in the evolution of the motet. His

works introduced re ned imitative polyphony, where musical phrases are echoed and

imitated by di erent voices, adding depth and complexity.

- Renaissance motets witnessed a greater exploration of harmonic structures, with

composers experimenting with consonance, dissonance, and intricate chord

progressions to enhance expressiveness.

- Composers in the Renaissance paid more attention to textual clarity, aligning musical

elements with the meaning of the words. This resulted in a more intimate connection

between the music and the text.

- The Renaissance saw a continuation of the trend toward secularization in motets.

Composers explored a broader range of themes beyond religious contexts,

incorporating both sacred and secular subjects.

- Various forms of the motet emerged during the Renaissance, including the motet-
chanson, a hybrid combining elements of the motet and secular chanson.

- Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina contributed to the re nement of motet style. His

works often featured balanced and smooth polyphony, emphasizing clarity and

purity of sound.

- The invention of the printing press (1436) facilitated the dissemination of motet

compositions, leading to a wider distribution and in uence of this musical form.

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- The motet continued to thrive during the Catholic Counter-Reformation, with

composers like Palestrina creating works that met the Counter-Reformation's

emphasis on clarity in sacred music.

- The innovations in motet composition during the Renaissance laid the groundwork
for later developments in choral music, in uencing composers for centuries to come.

Baroque era (17th-18th centuries):

- The Baroque era brought notable changes to the musical landscape, impacting the
development and usage of the motet.

- The Baroque period witnessed a shift in musical style, focused on emotional

expressiveness, ornate ornamentation, and dynamic contrasts.

- The motet experienced a decline in popularity during the Baroque era, as new

musical forms, such as the opera and oratorio, gained prominence.

- Baroque composers favored the development of solo vocal and instrumental works,

diverting attention from the multi-voice polyphony characteristic of the motet.

- While the motet declined, concerted sacred music became more prominent.

Composers began creating larger works for choir, soloists, and orchestra, such as

Handel's oratorios, which incorporated elements reminiscent of the motet.

- The emergence of new genres like the cantata and oratorio overshadowed the motet,

contributing to its diminished role in Baroque musical repertoire.

- Despite the decline, motets still found a place in liturgical settings, especially in more

conservative regions or within certain religious orders.

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 - While the motet's popularity faded, its legacy persisted through the enduring

in uence of polyphonic choral music, which continued to evolve in diverse ways.

Revival:

- In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a revival of interest in early music, leading to

renewed appreciation for motets. Composers and performers rediscovered and

interpreted these historical pieces, keeping the tradition alive.

- Today, composers continue to create motets, often drawing inspiration from

historical forms while incorporating modern elements. The motet remains a

fascinating part of choral and vocal music history.

Popular composers:

- Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300–1377): A medieval composer, made signi cant

contributions to the early development of the motet.

- Josquin des Prez (c. 1450–1521): A leading composer of the Renaissance, Josquin's

motets are known for their intricate polyphony and expressive qualities.

- Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594): An in uential gure in the

Renaissance, Palestrina's motets are characterized by their balanced and smooth

polyphony.

- Orlando di Lasso (1532–1594): A versatile composer of the late Renaissance,

Lasso's motets re ect a rich variety of styles and in uences.

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- Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611): A Spanish composer known for his sacred

music, Victoria's motets are celebrated for their emotional depth and intricate

counterpoint.

- William Byrd (c. 1540–1623): An English composer of the Renaissance, Byrd's

motets showcase his mastery of polyphony and expression.

- Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672): A German composer of the early Baroque, Schütz's

motets bridge the late Renaissance and Baroque styles.

- Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643): A key gure in the transition from the Renaissance

to the Baroque, Monteverdi's compositions include motets that re ect the evolving

musical landscape.

- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): While primarily known for his Baroque

contributions, Bach composed motets that exemplify his intricate counterpoint and

mastery of choral writing.

- Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741): A Baroque composer, Vivaldi's sacred compositions,

including motets, showcase his dynamic and expressive style.

- George Frideric Handel (1685–1759): Renowned for his oratorios, Handel's sacred

works, including motets, display his mastery of dramatic and emotional musical

expression.

Examples:

1. "Ave Maria" by Josquin des Prez:

Score: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/b/be/Ave_Maria_des_Prez.pdf

Recording: https://youtu.be/kyGlFisv7Ng?si=8P8TPN9_bAIBCVoL

2. "Spem in alium" by Thomas Tallis:

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Score: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/5/59/

TTS_SpemA_Davey_v07_Full_Score_to_NP_2021-05-28.pdf

Recording: https://youtu.be/iT-ZAAi4UQQ?si=Wl48Xy2TWHn944R3

3. "Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied" by Johann Sebastian Bach:

Score: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/f/f6/Bach_-_Singet_dem_Herrn_-_in_A.pdf

Recording: https://youtu.be/6aaESm5ySWU?si=pf-TsFvkeCAQiURg