When I was student teaching, I used this piece as a listening assignment. Without giving the students any information about the piece, including the title, I played it for them. After the piece was done, I asked them what they thought the text was about. To my amazement the first to responses were, "it sounds like the story of a death," and "it sounds as though people are mourning." These two answers were spot on, and really hit the primary affect intended. I think it's pretty interesting that a group of 16 year old students can pinpoint the meaning of a piece 300-plus years after it's been written - now THAT is the sign of a master composition.
Factoids:
- Although Lotti was a fairly prolific composer in terms of output, this is without question his greatest hit.
- Additionally, this may be considered the finest "one hit wonder" in all of choral music.
- When I first heard this piece, I was very surprised to find that Lotti worked in the Baroque period, which took place in the 17th to mid-18th centuries.
- The extensive use of suspensions coupled with moments of extreme polyphony make this sound as though it were written in the Renaissance Period.
- Additionally, a cappella works were more prevalent in the Renaissance as opposed to the more ornate Baroque Period.
- You can't help but hear the weighted sound in this piece.
- I think this gives that feel of weeping my students mentioned.
- Does anyone hear some of the Bruckner motets in this?
- Anybody..anybody?
Happy Listening!
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