Ave Maria ... virgo serena

Question 1

Ave Maria background information

Answer 1

• motet
• Josquin des Prez
• ca 1470s - 1480s
• source of text: rhymed, strophic poem
• poetic structure: opening couplet; five quatrains (four lines); closing couplet (two lines)
• Latin
• translation: Hail Mary
• four voices, a cappella
• polyphonic

Question 2

Ave Maria essay sections

Answer 2

• Opening Couplet
• First Quatrain
• Final Couplet
• Additional Features

Question 3

Ave Maria Opening Couplet name

Answer 3

“Ave Maria … gratia plena”

Question 4

Ave Maria Opening Couplet info

Answer 4

• based on Gregorian chant fragment
• points of imitation; ascending perfect fourth on “Ave” sung by each voice (top to bottom)
• similar treatment on “gratia plena”

Question 5

Ave Maria First Quatrain name

Answer 5

“Ave, cujus conceptio”

Question 6

Ave Maria First Quatrain info

Answer 6

• paired imitation: soprano and alto, tenor and bass
• harmonic sixths: sweet sounding consonance

textual clarity

Question 7

Ave Maria Final Couplet name

Answer 7

“O Mater Dei ….”

Question 8

Ave Maria Final Couplet info

Answer 8

• homorhythmic texture: all voices mostly same rhythm (chordal texture)
• triadic harmony
• rests: heighten impact of words
• end open fifths

Question 9

Ave Maria Additional Features

Answer 9

• simply rhythm, well balanced b/t all voices
• shift to triple meter on “Ave vera virginitas”
• mostly syllabic text setting, short melismas (key words)
• 3rds and 6ths abound, but important cadence on open intervals (5ths and octaves)