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    • Circa 1600
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Mater Floreat by Pierre Moulu
I'm excited to send out this week's wonderful motet. It's called 'Mater floreat'; the composer is Pierre Moulu, not exactly a household name, but after you hear the piece, you may think he should be. It's a self-reflective piece of music: Music About Music. Circa 1600 did a concert in Spring 2017 on this theme which included today's motet. When I first heard it (in the recording attached, by the Brabant Ensemble) I nearly fell on the ground with elation.
It is so declarative and extroverted and joyful!

The text is an ode to music and to musicians, and (as you'll see and hear) includes a veritable who's who list of Renaissance musicians. All of these are still known--some more famous than others, of course. Over the years we've done pieces by many of these composers, and we owe a great debt--and a rousing song of praise--to them for the happiness and solace and fascination and emotional support their music has provided us. This is that song of praise!

I can't send midi files for this piece, but the parts are pretty straightforward and clearly audible on the attached recording. In addition, of course, you'll find a score. Click here for the program from our 2017 concert set, which includes a few notes on 'Mater floreat' plus the text and translation (page 12). We used part of a poem by Stephen Spender as an introduction to the piece (and to the second half); I'm copying the entire poem (which I love) below. To me the poem expresses some of the same lyrical veneration for the 'truly great' as is so evident in Moulu's motet.
Download Score
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