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  • The Flowering of the Spirit
    • 2021-2022 Concerts >
      • Clothed Head to Foot in Song
      • World of Wonder
      • Early Music Christmas: Lo How a Rose
      • Sacred Realms: Très Riches Heures
      • Never to Forget
      • Season Finale: Born of the Sun
      • Organ Recital: The Incomparable Herr Buxtehude
    • 2021-22 Educational Events
    • 2021-22 Virtual Offerings >
      • Virtual BachTalks
      • The Choir Loft >
        • June 5th - How Brightly Shines the Morning Star
        • June 12th - Sacred Works by Valentin Silvestrov - Steve Osborn
        • June 26th - Some Music by Palestrina - Comfort in Perfection - Dan Solter
        • July 3rd - William Byrd: Motets and Masses Part One
      • Repertoire Exploration Projects
    • Tickets
    • Donate today!
    • COVID-19 Audience Safety
  • Who we are and What we do
    • Mission Statement
  • Our Ensembles
    • Sonoma Bach Choir
    • Circa 1600
    • Green Mountain Consort
    • Live Oak Baroque Orchestra
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Escrip & Amazon Smile
  • Resources
    • Virtual Offerings - Archive >
      • The Choir Loft
      • Virtual BachTalk
      • Adventures in Sightsinging
      • Parliamo Italiano! Language Workshop
      • Madrigal Mondays
      • Chorale Wednesdays
      • Motet Fridays
      • Virtual Recording Projects
      • 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
    • Concert Programs
    • Scores & Parts
    • Rehearsal Recordings
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  • Join our Mailing List!
De Profundis by Ludwig Senfl
This week's Friday Motet is by Ludwig Senfl, a member of the generation following Josquin. Senfl was a Josquin maniac. Some of you will remember when we did his re-write/expansion of Josquin's Ave Maria (last Friday's motet). That was right around the period when I was becoming a Senfl nut.  Since then, we've programmed quite a lot of his music, especially for Circa and Green Mountain Consort (though Bach Choir has had its share, for sure). I prize his sacred music for both its Apollonian nature and for its simultaneous deep emotional and spiritual expression. Kind of like Bach in this respect. Senfl's music draws deeply on Josquin's style, but also has a distinct stamp and character all its own.

Our Motet is the first part of Senfl's setting of the 'De profundis' (Psalm 130), a cri de coeur from the psalmist for help in a darkest hour. This psalm draws out deep responses from composers--its depiction of darkness, its cries for help, and its ultimate expression of faith in the future combine to make a dramatic shape which music can enhance and inscribe upon our hearts. Those of you who know and love Bach's Cantata 131: 'Aus der Tiefe' will recognize it as a powerful example.
I have returned so many times to Senfl's 'De profundis' when in need of what music has to offer us in dark times. Its rising-line opening is unforgettable, and its spinning-out (Josquin-style) of urgent phrase after phrase seems somehow to comfort and console.
Download Score
Midi Practice Track
Soprano 1 Midi
Soprano 2 Midi
Alto Midi
Tenor Midi
Bass Midi
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