In their programme of radiant choral polyphony, St Martin's Voices took us on a musical tour of sixteenth century Europe. This selection of sacred works by the leading composers of the age demonstrates the expressive beauty and dexterity of the polphonic style, bridging the gap from the Late Renaissance to the Early Baroque.
Polyphony is defined as a musical texture with two or more melodic lines and, when applied to vocal writing, means that the text is performed independently by each voice apart, according to the rhythm and phrasing of their individual melodic line. Stylistically, this results in waves of sound with soaring peaks, ever-shifting harmonies, and powerful moments of unity when the voices come together.
The programme tonight at St Andrew's Wickford included Orlande de Lassus, Peter Phillips, Francisco Guerrero, Richard Dering, Jan Pieterszoon Sweenlinck, Heinrich Schutz and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. The texts explored in their programme spanned the liturgical year, from All Saints to Ascension, in settings by composers from across Europe.
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St Martin's Voices - Love Divine.
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