Palestrina 2025
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,815
    Is anyone else making plans for the Palestrina quincentenary?

    I've been pondering the 1589 Hymnary and sketching a plan to perform all of it at Vespers but I'm also thinking about a mass or masses for our parish choir. Usually we start Ordinary Time with a Benedictus (Schubert E-flat) and an Agnus (Byrd a 4) at the Offertories for Baptism & OT 2 (in a parish with no tradition of choral Ordinaries-yet). I've had trouble coming up with SATB settings by Palestrina, though Regina caeli has a 4vv Benedictus and perhaps we can manage the 6vv Tu es Petrus Dona nobis. Am I missing other non-3vv/5vv mass movements though?
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,367
    Yes. Candlemas, at least the Missa Papae Marcelli. TBD if the choir does the Lumen ad revelationem gentium for the blessing. More to come after that I hope.
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,934
    Pope Marcellus for Candlemas.

    Stabat Mater for September 15th (don't go copying us on that one too, Roth!)
    Thanked by 1MatthewRoth
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,367
    I only copy the best of ideas, sir. :)
    Thanked by 2StimsonInRehab tomjaw
  • smt
    Posts: 65
    More ideas? I wondered what are the most famous motets of Palestrina. Through his vast oeuvre, only a few compositions come to mind that stand out. But I also don't know him tremendously well either. "Sicut cervus" and "Tu es petrus" would probably be number 1+2, but then...?

    I'm thinking about Missa Sicut lilium for next year.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • PolyfolliaPolyfollia
    Posts: 16
    Hi, I would suggest these juwels:

    - Missa+motet Viri Galilaei (à 6v)
    - Missa+Motet Hodie Christus natus est (à 8v)
    - Alma redemptoris à 4
    - Valde honorandus à 4
    ...
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen smt
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,092
    My plan had been to learn the Missa Aeterne Christi Munera, now that we're getting comfortable with "Baby's first polyphonic Mass" (Gregorio Zucchini Missa Secunda). We do "Baby's first Palestrina", the easy pieces that usually aren't by Palestrina at all. And Sicut Cervus, and a few things that I boiled down to meet our capabilities. I was going to do "more of all of the above."

    But I say "had been" because I've realized that a majority of my singers will not/cannot consistently attend a midweek rehearsal, and without one, we simply cannot learn new music. And I'm strongly considering cancelling a rehearsal that is only attended by 25% of my members.
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