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  • Virtual Offerings
    • The Choir Loft >
      • Jan. 3 - Climbing the Musical Stairway to Heaven - Bob Worth
      • Jan. 10 - The Passion of Yeshua - Steve Osborn
      • Jan. 17 - A Statement of Belief - Amanda McFadden
      • Jan. 24 - Hector Berlioz, L’Enfance du Christ - Dan Solter
    • Virtual BachTalk >
      • Jan. 13th - Swimming with Claudio
    • Madrigal Mondays
    • Chorale Wednesdays
    • Motet Fridays
    • Parliamo Italiano! Language Workshop
  • Virtual Concerts
    • Live Oak Baroque Orchestra
    • Music for these Distracted Times - Barefoot All-Stars
    • Agave Baroque American Originals
    • Bach's Long Walk to Lübeck - Anne Laver, organ
  • Who we are and What we do
    • Mission Statement
    • Pandemic Mission Statement
  • Our Ensembles
    • Sonoma Bach Choir
    • Circa 1600
    • Green Mountain Consort
    • Live Oak Baroque Orchestra
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Escrip & Amazon Smile
  • Resources
    • Concert Programs
    • Scores & Parts
  • Contact
  • Join our Mailing List!
Dies Sanctificatus by Palestrina
I've just realized that I somehow thus far have neglected to send out a Palestrina motet (except for our 'Sicut cervus' recording project) for our Friday motet. So I am rectifying this omission today by featuring his 'Dies sanctificatus'. This is also a Nativity piece, celebrating the 'holy day which has illuminated us'. It's classic Palestrina--smooth, flowing lines, restrained but clear word painting, consummate counterpoint. It also ends with a wonderful, joyful triple time section:
'Let us rejoice and be glad!'

In 1982 or so,  I did an independent study at Berkeley with the formidable (=terrifying) Joseph Kerman on parody masses, comparing them with their models. Most of my work dealt with the 'Dies sanctificatus' and Palestrina's eponymous mass based thereupon. The motet was the first Palestrina piece I ever really got to know, and also the first of his motets
​I conducted. I still love it!

In addition to the 'Palestrina-Dies sanctificatus' zip file containing the materials for this project, you also might like to check out these links to the various movements of his mass: Kyrie; Gloria; Credo; Sanctus; Benedictus; Agnus Dei I; Agnus Dei II.
Click here to download learning materials
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