Giovanni Palestrina - Missa Papae Marcelli - Gloria

[Zacki91]

Not bad at all. It's almost as good as B Pumper's material.

[beethomozart]

excellent mass, please read my comment in the 1st part of this series

[Alltruthseeker]

Wonderful singing and glorious music. This is just a prelude, a foretaste of the heavenly bliss, where no eyes and no ears could ever imagine the beauty of what He Who loves us without ceasing, has prepared for us. Glory to God forever and ever. We love You O Lord for all eternity.

[handofzeus0207]

monophonic chant opening, then frequent texture changes with alternation of homorhythmic and polyphonic textures

[jssoedirgo]

Hi, I am a music student...I was wondering, after the monophonic opening by the celebrant, what is the texture afterwards? I encountered a textbook saying it is polyphonic, while another says it is homophonic. Any help would be appreciated! (:

[trainscarl]

jssoedirgo- Palestrina uses note-against-note polyphony (m. 1-5, for example), non-imitative polyphony (mm. 92-98, for example), imitative polyphony, mm. 118-122, for example), and even a brief section in old-fashioned fauxbourdon, mm. 111-114; furthermore, Palestrina uses changes of timbre by contrasting grouping of the five parts: see mm. 62-69. You'll find many more examples. Pay attention to the text he sets in the various ways of combining melodic lines!

[sambucazabic]

I don't understand the words but the sound these words produce have personally inspire me to peace and I am saddened that some of you can't experience this peace. I suspect that using words we use every day distract us to their daily application. Think about that possibility.

[tanyrallt]

music that has this sort of power to move peoples spirits is truly divine whatever denomination you subscribe to or no denomination at all - an English Anglican in Wales. What saddens me is that anyone would want to bicker over it!

[andresblazeit420]

I cant believe I have to remember this crap for music class.

[Firesnakebite]

The most beautiful music does not deserve such bickering. Please keep a respectful forum here for those who find healing and calm with this music. Thank you. There's enough pain in the world, please don't add it here.

[23davidbeckham07]

@Firesnakebite fucking lame!!!

[MrHenriful]

@23davidbeckham07 obviously, you are one of those brainless football fans. perhaps you should think before you speak.

Ow, I'm sorry. You cant think since you haven't got brains.

[millencolinman]

It's interesting to me how churches continue to use music composed by these men and women of past centuries, yet today outside the church the garbage labeled "music" dominates. This is one way I know the church isn't full of idiots.

[Vayshen]

Just because modern music doesn't suit your tastes doesn't make it non-music. To each his/her own.

That said I'm grateful they maintain this tradition in churches.

[Stravinsky91]

@millencolinman not in all churches.. here in sweden the churches has adopted most of the pop-music/gospel tradition of the american churches

[thelovebug1996]

i luv this song it is calming

[lemberable]

What Repugnant IS your utter ignorance.

[amrite]

"It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church to have public Prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understanded of the people." - Articles of Religion, Anglican Church.

[foodie65]

What you obviously fail to realise is that these are the same words put to different musical settings - the Gloria is said week in week out in the anglican and catholic churches so everyone understands what they mean. And for any visitors there is a translation in the service booklet.

In addition latin settings are not confined to the roman catholic church - The Anglican church used them all the time and I have even been to a lutheran service where the setting was sung in latin!

[foodie65]

In fact this very setting will be used next Sunday 25th at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in London.

[millencolinman]

Idiot

[polotemy]

I think this piece is exceptional, the counterpoint belies the clear cut words being sung. I can hear every word being sung, which is truly a beauty.

I was listening to Mozart's Coronation mass, yes, it was majestic, but the Credo was miffled. I could hardly discern the text by listening.

[MusicVideoMixer]

WHEN WAS THIS SONG COMPOSED?

[amrite]

Too bad I don't sing/listen to/speak/understand/enjoy Latin. Catholics suck.

[robinson893]

indeed:)

[plutarco7890]

you cretin, this is music,no more

[amrite]

No, this is supposed to be worship music. But getting Christians to worship the Lord in a language they don't understand is oppressive and demonic, as it preys on the ignorance of people, claiming "tradition."

[plutarco7890]

I repeat is only music.The music try to obtain beutiful sounds using instruments and voices the language used does not is essential we are interested only to the results and Palestrina was a true master to obtain wonderful and magnificent sounds.

[amrite]

Did you even understand what I said? What I mean is, this sort of music is wrong and should not be used because of its evil origin, the Catholics.

[plutarco7890]

Evil origin? Your brain does not is at your service at 100%.

[amrite]

Evil as in Catholicism.

[tarrek]

What a ridiculous opinion. To ignore cultural gifts such as this because of its origins would be to ignore some of the greatest literary/artistic/musical accomplishments of mankind.  Are you into book burning too by any chance?

[tarrek]

And for your information, this was written in Italy in the 16th century when the Italian language was hardly any different from classical latin - so most people would have known precisely what was being sung.

[FreddieJB]

evil of wat

[FreddieJB]

its not evil, who ever thought you that was VERY WRONG

[amrite]

You are VERY WRONG. Many catholic ideals, such as worship in another language, is wrong.

[foodie65]

That's a matter of opinion - There is one God and we all worship in different ways. I find evangelical worship so tedious and unispiring but I respect the right of others to worship in that way if they wish. You have no right to judge others - not a y Christian-like thing to do!

[amrite]

@foodie65 I'm Anglican. Liturgy is fine, but worshipping in a language one does not understand is wrong.

[foodie65]

Well if you are Anglican, you will know very well that the mass settings are often in latin, and the psalms are always chanted - nothing wrong with this at all

[FreddieJB]

We humans were created by God to work,and work its not bad, why do you think work is bad, because you get tired?Obeying your body will make you fall a lot in impurness

St. Josemarie in Camino said"A person who does not look for God does not need a demon to tentate him"

[amrite]

@FreddieJB "who ever thought you that" - what?

[LueYee]

The other way is to use that Reformation drive for education to achieve universal literacy, which in that time period always included Latin as a large part of what was taught.

Moreover, this is the ordinary, not the propers, so everyone pretty much knows, or can guess, which words are when. I agree the spoken words around the sacraments should still be in the vernacular, but I think this is fine even for Protestant worship, as we may see also in the Mass in B Minor by Bach, who was a Lutheran.

[TheBantlingboy]

I am with you - on this one - I absolutely adore the highs and lows of the harmonies - very beautiful and majestic. This is one of the most amazing pieces of choral works I have ever come across. first and foremost this is a piece of music - and secondly Catholic masse.

[FreddieJB]

why it sucks, Im catholic and you are wrong

[FreddieJB]

why do they suck, the Catholic Church has been believing the same for like 2010 years, 500 years ago or something like that, Marthin Lutero made his own church because he gave up in living the virtue of pureness ,and from that point, many have been made

[TheJbach]

@FreddieJB Luther never gave up the pureness.... luckily for you, neither did your parents.

[shanerowland453]

Stunning :)

[ejb61]

What's with the diminuendo in last two bars!I'm a baritone and it sounds much better with a strong ending and the 1st bass singing through his final 'amen'.

[myyellowshirt]

there's this Naxos and Gimell recording of this. Love the Naxos more than the Gimell, but the Gimell has more than 2 masses and includes the motet from where some of the masses come from

[bubblykings]

Wow! Not only did Palestrina fulfill the desire of the Council of Trent, but he also managed to do such innovative things with the beauty of the voice, a cappella style. The addition of the extra tenor and bass in this was a very clever thing to do, because it makes the music so much richer and deep.

Beautiful.

[pneydavo]

Palestrina gets it right. Palestrina

[albermarle52]

the Qui Tollis in this Gloria is the best ever written. The best version was done by the Tallis Scholars in 1980.

[JTankred]

The best Gloria by Palestrina in my opinion is the Gloria in "Missa Aeterna Christi Munera". Try to hear it! :-)

[ozna12]

I agree

[FreddieJB]

yea man, its just stunning and beatiful

[myyellowshirt]

Yup they do, Summerly conducted it

[bambigoescrazy3]

my son is doing this in his music class

[1PostPoMoMaN1]

That's cooool.

[kpman]

Can be heard often In Brompton Oratory. At the Holy Mass, for which it was composed.

[ClassicalOJazz]

Palestrina was the Vocal Polyphony Master.

[albermarle52]

although this was mostly homophonic

[bronxer78]

Undeniably, God sang through this man!

[SingAndGlorify]

It's the Choir of Westminster Abbey, Simon Preston from the CD "Palestrina - Missa Papae Marcelli + Allegri - Miserere" (1986).

[Troughscafca]

so gratulations for this choir, good job :)

[Jrique7]

Simply brilliant. THIS is what REAL music is.

[theViolinDreamer]

it is so heavenly beautiful. it also remindes me of what our music theory teacher told us.

[theViolinDreamer]

One of her teachers tried an experiment that would make him understand how revolutionary Bach was for his time;

[aran125]

Wow...that is so beautiful.  Thank you very much. I sang a lot of Palestrina in High School. I wish we performed more stuff in this style when I went to The Boston Conservatory as an undergrad voice major. Never sang or even really heard any parts of his Mass's except for this. Beautiful, thanks again!

[albermarle52]

If you like this piece, you should check out the Gimell 1980 recording of the mass by the Tallis Scholars. The Qui Tollis is breathtaking.

[tiernan87]

or at least beatified...

[tiernan87]

sometimes i wonder why this man wasn't canonized.

[GrumpyOldTroll]

Canonisation requires approbation of two miracles, beatification of one: perhaps his intercession has not yet been sought?

[tiernan87]

yes i know. perhaps not. maybe someone should start a movement for the beatification of Paletstrina...

[NihilNominis]

I would say this Gloria counts as one miracle...

The second is perhaps his Victimæ Paschali.

[gooful]

The ending is sublime. Thank God for Palestrina.

[endeavourer]

Massimoofitalia: attend the Tridentine Form of the Mass, and it will stimulate it further! God bless.

[MassimoofItalia]

I know... I recently have started to attend the Latin mass.... I can't believe I have put up with these protestant, jazz, cocktail-bar, hand clapping, swaying, styled masses... That was not the way the popes meant the novus ordo to be...

I now prefer the Tridentine rite... it is so peaceful... I now serve and sing chant in the mass. We do the chants... and every thing... today we sang Schuberts Messe in G... a beautiful mass too..

[tiernan87]

i heartily agree. i'm a convert, raised protestant (staunch calvinist, so thank God we at least regarded sacraments as holy and a means of grace). although i appreciate worship and praise music and choruses at certain times, i most certainly prefer a traditional Mass. i think the Tridentine Mass is absolutely beautiful and it really is a great way to connect with God. i wouldn't attend Tridentine weekly, but i LOVE attending them.

[MassimoofItalia]

The suscipe is so beautiful!!

[MassimoofItalia]

This makes me wanna become a better Catholic

[parespayer]

he wrote this to 'save polyphony':council of trent (music was the least of their concerns, in my mind). this has the same effect upon me as walker's southern harmony (what wondrous love). both modal to an extent, but.... damn gorgeous. tallis scholars have best recording of this particular mass (to my mind). thanks.

[FranklyMisterShankly]

Actually, music wasn't the least of the concerns at Trent (which lasted 18 yrs on and off). The theatrical aesthetic of Tridentine Catholicism became an important contrast to Protestant worship (esp. to the sober and austere Calvinism). In addition, there were concerns regarding the comprehensibilty of the text of the Mass when sung in polyphony. I'd like to think my Latin is relatively decent, but I still have to listen closely to catch all the words. The beauty, of course, is undeniable.

[MassimoofItalia]

This makes me cry.

[saintandrews83]

This period of music is so devine. Palestrina, Tallis , Gibons to name a few.

[VladWaterBall]

Thank you very much schmobot

[crob647gtx]

This man was annointed from God to make beautiful music!

[MassimoofItalia]

Of course. Nobody could have this gift without being given it from God.

[designedsayer]

this is sensual music

I have the Holy Ghost now[ger.spirit]

I remember listening to mus like this

and then now.different now.

[MassimoofItalia]

This divine music was written in honor of the papacy- well for pope marcellus at his coronation. As a catholic, I believe we should restore this music to all the masses. This music alone prooves the existence of God. Nobody can write this divine music without being given the gift from God.

[evalewis1]

You have good taste! :) I like Palestrina ,as well, however couple of centuries past by, and music has changed because the times, people and life has changed. So many beautiful music has been written since the Renaissance, and "restore this kind of music to all masses" would scare many folks away. I think about the music tradition as a mosaic, or painted glass window or a carpet, with different colors, shapes and mood, and try to enjoy the different kinds of music in their own right.

[bladeboi2]

Interestingly, in the Catholic Church, the music that (technically alone) should be used is Gregorian Chant!

Music that is "fitting for the sacred act of the most Holy Mass" may be used in Church.

Palastrina et al took the words of St John Chrysostom into consideration when composing a capella.

Tambourines, guitars, pianos, drum kits, synthesisers are not becoming to assist devout, silent prayer!

Protestants on the other hand....

[bijps2shtr]

i could use your brain for my music test i have tomorrow lol

[amrite]

@bladeboi2 Chants are wrong. Just as having worship in an unknown language, like Latin. the 33 Articles say so.

[songblam]

As hard as it is to choose from amoung them, this is my favorite Palestrina mass....My feet left the ground when first I sang it with a quire of voyces in an old spanish church...We had to memorize it....Bless you Nathan for that....

[chaoticflame5]

I love this part of the Missa Papae Marcelli. I think that the Qui Tollis of the Gloria is probably the most beautiful piece of choral music ever written.

[albermarle52]

I agree. I first heard it colllege.

[albermarle52]

You should hear the Tallis Scholar's version of this. It is spectactular.

[chaoticflame5]

I have heard the Tallis Scholar's version. I agree, it is wonderful. It rivals my favorite recording of the Cambridge Singers' performance of this song.

[meatontheface]

wow

[301250]

Pray, may I know which glorious ensemble is this, here singing the divine music of a composer nicknamed the 'Prince of Music' and of whom the epithet "The ocean into which all streams have flowed" aptly described? sd goh (malaysia)

[CanCatholic]

Missa Papae Marcelli

[TempleMagistrate]

Divine music!