Polyphonic Mag, plainchant “Sicut erat” … ?
  • Felipe Gasper
    Posts: 804
    Does anyone else think it odd that, in great Magnificat settings like this one:

    http://www2.cpdl.org/wiki/images/b/bf/Magnificat_octavi_toni_Palestrina_tr.pdf

    … the “Sicut erat” is so “unassuming” as to be plainchant? It seems so … inconspicuous?
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,700
    I think I prefer it this way. Begin with chant, end with chant. It all depends on the composition as a whole.
  • Daniel Bennett PageDaniel Bennett Page
    Posts: 835
    It has nothing to do with aesthetics: some institutions/dioceses/countries specified that in alternatim compositions the odd-numbered verses be polyphonic while others required the even verses.
  • SamuelDorlaque
    Posts: 318
    It certainly allows a seamless return to the appointed antiphon.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,799
    A good point, but it also allows blazing organ mixtures and reeds! I used to find the ending of Obrecht's Salve Regina disappointingly 'unassuming' as long as I could only imagine plainchant.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
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