Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A polyphonic composition based on a sacred text and usually sung without accompaniment.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In music:
- noun A vocal composition in somewhat strict polyphonic style, having a Biblical or similar prose text, and intended to be sung in a church service.
- noun Any vocal work in harmony intended for use in a church service; an anthem.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (Mus.) A composition adapted to sacred words in the elaborate polyphonic church style; an anthem.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
composition adapted to sacred words in the elaboratepolyphonic church style; ananthem .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun an unaccompanied choral composition with sacred lyrics; intended to be sung as part of a church service; originated in the 13th century
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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It is from "Il Ritorno di Tobia" that the so-called motet, "Insanae et Vanae Curae," is adapted, and the "Storm Chorus" immediately follows a fine soprano air in F minor and major, sung by Anna in the original work, a portion of which forms the beautiful second subject (in F) of the "Insanae."
Joseph Haydn Hadden, J Cuthbert 1902
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Countless treasures await us, including lectures by Dr. William Mahrt and Fr. Frank Phillips, an organ recital by Brother Jonathan Ryan of St. John Cantius, a new motet by Chicago's own Kevin Allen, not to mention fellowship with old friends and new.
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Most impressively, the ensemble switched effortlessly between the flowing, unmetered style of chant and the measured harmonies of unaccompanied polyphony, like William Cornysh's gorgeous motet "Ave Maria Mater Dei."
Folger's music presentation is fit for King Henry's court Charles Downey 2010
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Here is a recording of a motet, Let Thy Merciful Ears, by Thomas Mudd, from the first Mass of the Colloquium, sung by all attendees with about 5 mins of rehearsal on the night when everyone arrived.
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Note: the Vespers service, one Psalm, and one motet are missing, so the packet will be more than 200 pages once complete.
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It was a great moment near the end of the colloquium when it became clear that the three-choir polyphonic complexity scheduled for the last motet was not really viable.
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That evening's magnificent de Victoria concert culmi nated in Mr. Kyr's electrifying polychoral motet for chorus, soloist and strings, "A Time for Song."
Modern Echoes of the Renaissance Brett Campbell 2011
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Two of his choral pieces were performed at Sunday's Cantate Chamber Singers and Maryland State Boychoir concert at St. Paul's Lutheran Church - the oratorio "A Crown of Stars," which the CCS commissioned and first performed in its premiere, in 2006, and a short motet, "Sing, O Daughter of Zion," premiered here by the boychoir.
Composer-pianist Simpson shines at St. Paul's Lutheran Church 2011
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It's a pity because, a few moments of unruliness apart, the performances of both the masses here are thoughtful and beautifully shaped, and neither the plainchant-based Missa de Beata Maria Virgine nor the parody mass Missa Surge Propera, based upon a Palestrina motet, has been recorded many times before.
Victoria: Missa de Beata Maria Virgine; Missa Surge Propera etc – review 2011
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It is now ready for on-line viewing, minus the Vespers and one motet but it still comes in at 200 pages.
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