Ave Maria...virgo serena Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the genre of 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Symphony

Sonata

Motet (correct)

Opera

Who is the composer of 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Josquin des Prez

In what decade was 'Ave Maria... virgo serena' composed?

1470's - 1480's

What type of text is used in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Rhymed strophic poem Signup and view all the answers

What is the poetic structure of 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Opening couplet, five quatrains, closing couplet Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Ave Maria... virgo serena' reflect?

The exalted position given to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church in the Renaissance era Signup and view all the answers

What is the language of the text in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Latin Signup and view all the answers

What is the translation of the title 'Ave Maria'?

Hail Mary Signup and view all the answers

What are the performing forces of 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Four a cappella voices Signup and view all the answers

What is the texture of 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Polyphonic Signup and view all the answers

What textures are used in the musical setting of this sacred poem?

Imitation, pairing of voices, and homorhythmic chordal texture Signup and view all the answers

What is the opening motive of 'Ave Maria... virgo serena' based on?

Based on the plainchant melody 'Ave Maria' Signup and view all the answers

What is the first quatrain like in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Harmonic 6ths create sweet consonance Signup and view all the answers

What does the final couplet in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena' create?

Entirely homorhythmic creating a chordal texture Signup and view all the answers

What is the rhythm like in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Simple, well balanced among all voices Signup and view all the answers

To what meter does 'Ave Maria... virgo serena' shift?

Triple Signup and view all the answers

What is the text setting predominantly like in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

Mostly syllabic, with short melismas on key words Signup and view all the answers

How does the relationship between text and music in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena' manifest?

Closer than ever before, includes word painting Signup and view all the answers

What types of intervals are abundant in 'Ave Maria... virgo serena'?

3rds and 6ths abound, but important cadences land on open intervals like 5ths and octaves Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ave Maria...virgo serena Study Notes

Genre: A motet, a polyphonic choral work typically based on sacred texts.
Composer: Josquin des Prez, a renowned composer of the Renaissance era, known for his influential contributions to music.
Time Period of Composition: Created during the 1470s to 1480s, marking the height of the early Renaissance in music.
Text Structure: Consists of a rhymed strophic poem, allowing for lyrical repetition and thematic development.
Poetic Structure: Features an opening couplet, five quatrains, and a closing couplet, providing a balanced and symmetrical form.
Thematic Reflection: Highlights the elevated status of the Virgin Mary in Renaissance Catholicism, showcasing religious devotion.
Language: The text is written in Latin, which was the liturgical language of the Catholic Church at the time.
Title Translation: The English translation of "Ave Maria" is "Hail Mary," a well-known prayer in Christian tradition.
Performing Forces: Composed for four a cappella voices, emphasizing vocal harmony without instrumental accompaniment.
Musical Texture: Primarily polyphonic, featuring multiple independent melodies interwoven to create depth.
Textural Techniques: Utilizes imitation, pairing of voices, and homorhythmic chordal textures that enhance musical coherence.
Opening Motive: Based on the Gregorian chant "Ave Maria," serving as the cantus firmus to introduce the piece, setting the sacred tone.
Opening Couplet: Derived from a Gregorian chant fragment with continuous imitation, establishing an elegant flow.
First Quatrain: Characterized by harmonic sixths contributing to sweet consonance; shifts in texture highlight voice pairings.
Final Couplet: Features entirely homorhythmic texture, enhancing triadic harmony while using rests for dramatic effect.
Rhythm: Maintains a simple, well-balanced rhythm across all voices, contributing to clarity and accessibility.
Meter Shifts: Transitions to a triple meter, creating a lively and dance-like feel within the composition.
Text Setting: Predominantly syllabic, with the inclusion of short melismas on significant words to enhance meaning.
Text and Music Relationship: Achieves a closer connection than ever, incorporating word painting—such as "lucifer" sung in a high pitch to symbolize light.
Intervals: Utilizes an abundance of thirds and sixths, while important cadences predominantly land on fifths and octaves, ensuring harmonic richness.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the motet 'Ave Maria...virgo serena' by Josquin des Prez. This quiz covers its genre, composition period, and poetic structure. Perfect for music history students or enthusiasts!