Palestrina’s Magnificat primi toni, Voces8

Before the rich counterpoint of J.S. Bach, there was the seamless, contrapuntal polyphony of the Italian Renaissance composer, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594).

The sacred music of Palestrina greatly influenced Bach and the composers who followed. Bach studied and hand-copied Palestrina’s first book of Masses and adapted parts of the Missa sine nomine. Felix Mendelssohn noted Palestrina’s influence when he wrote, “I always get upset when some praise only Beethoven, others only Palestrina and still others only Mozart or Bach. All four of them, I say, or none at all.”

Palestrina’s music rests on the firm bedrock of refinement and adherence to principles. It unfolds in continuously flowing melodic lines, with neatly resolved dissonances. It is the epitome of sublime order and balance.

Palestrina’s Magnificat primi toni for eight voices was probably written in the late 1580s. The music is filled with a radiant sense of joy. The text, taken from the Gospel of Luke, describes Mary’s divine exultation: “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” Listen to the vibrant musical conversation which unfolds between groups of voices.

Here is a performance by the English a cappella octet, Voces8:

Recordings

  • Palestrina: Magnificat primi toni, Voces8 voces8.com

Featured Image: Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia Piazza della Cortina Palestrina (Rome)

About Timothy Judd

A native of Upstate New York, Timothy Judd has been a member of the Richmond Symphony violin section since 2001. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he earned the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music, studying with world renowned Ukrainian-American violinist Oleh Krysa.

The son of public school music educators, Timothy Judd began violin lessons at the age of four through Eastman’s Community Education Division. He was a student of Anastasia Jempelis, one of the earliest champions of the Suzuki method in the United States.

A passionate teacher, Mr. Judd has maintained a private violin studio in the Richmond area since 2002 and has been active coaching chamber music and numerous youth orchestra sectionals.

In his free time, Timothy Judd enjoys working out with Richmond’s popular SEAL Team Physical Training program.

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