Cambridge Villages Tour

Palestrina at 500

Palestrina was one of the most highly acclaimed musicians of the sixteenth century, and wrote a tremendous number of musical works, refining the musical style of his time. His compositions, characterised by a sense of elegance and balance, reflect his steadfast adherence to traditional melodic and harmonic conventions. Palestrina’s artistry also finds expression in the intricate interplay of secular and sacred madrigals, weaving narratives both poignant and jubilant.

“With the voices soaring and interweaving high above us, it occurred to me that it was no wonder that in centuries past, congregations sitting in the first gothic cathedrals believed in angels.” - Artstalk Magazine

PROGRAMME:

Palestrina sacred works:
Sicut cervus
Gloria from Missa Papae Marcelli
Super flumina Babylonis
Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae: Sabbato Sancto, Lectio III

Palestrina sacred madrigals:
E tu Signor, tu la tua grazia infondi
Queste saranno ben lagrime

Palestrina secular madrigals:
Io son ferito, ahi lasso
Quando dal terzo cielo