Motet
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Main Period: Middle Ages, Renaissance
Kind: Vocal

Composers

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Bach


des Préz


Palestrina


di Lasso
Motet
A religious'Exultate Deo' - Alessandro Scarlatti polyphonic form, at whose peak, in the 16th century, presented a sophisticated counterpoint (including polyphonic effects such as canon, fugue etc.), in pieces for 5-8 parts. The motet was born in the 13th century, and was at 'The Coronation of the Virgin' (processed details) by unknown painter, Bayerische Staatsgemaldesammlungen, Munichfirst based on the Gregorian chant, upon which several parts (singing voices) were added; first those which were non-verbal voices, and later those singers started singing in the vernacular (local language), whereas the original chant was still sung in Latin - the language of the Gregorian source. In the 16th century, motet was liberated from obligatory religious topics, and instrumental accompaniment was accepted.
The secular form, parallel to the motet, is the Madrigal. Many composers excelled in writing both motet and madrigal, among whom are Josquin des PrézMotet 'Absalon, Fili Mi' ('Absalom, my son') - Josquin des Prez, Orlando di Lasso, Palestrina and Bach, who wrote many motets, and in fact ended the age of polyphony in which the motet held a central role.Motet by Brahms


The secular brother-form of the motet is the madrigal


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