| Liturgical Use: |
Communion; Feasts of the Blessed Sacrament |
| Remarks: |
Josquin's celebrated 3 voice setting of the traditional Gregorian communion
hymn (Liber Usualis, p.1856) paraphrases the chant in the middle voice. Verses
1 & 3 of the hymn are duos that unfold as single
long-breathed phrases. Verses 2 & 4 create delicate trio passages by repeating the music
of the first 2 verses with the addition of flowing counterpoint
in the added 3rd voice. The 5th verse provides a suitable culmination joining all three voices for the final supplication:
O dulcis! O pie! O Jesu fili Virginis Mariæ. No small part of the motet’s considerable appeal derives from the subtle transformation of the duet passages by the addition of a third voice. The song-like intimacy of this
setting and its quiet spritual intensity reflects Josquin's
northern heritage while its bright scoring and clear-cut phrasing suggests the influence of the time he spent in Italy. |
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