Claudio Merulo was one of a small number of Italian Renaissance composers who was instrumental in transforming the musical landscape of the 16th century. He was a hugely prolific writer of keyboard music, marking the change from vocal-based forms to new genres written especially for the instrument. Additionally, he wrote sublime sacred music in the Venetian tradition of the High Renaissance, and his motets, which are intended for the Office, are remarkable for their clear and spacious lines alongside bold imitative counterpoint. This is the fifth book of his motets, which reveal an innovative form and sophisticated linguistic freedom. The interplay of musical spaces and colours anticipate the concertato style of the rising Baroque period.
Works:
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Merulo: Ascendens Christus in altum
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Merulo: Ave Maria
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Merulo: Beata Elisabeth
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Merulo: Bonum certamem certavi
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Merulo: Cumque Beatissimus Marcus Evangelista
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Merulo: Ego sum panis vivus
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Merulo: Haec est dies
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Merulo: Hodie beata Virgo Maria
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Merulo: Hodie Spiritus Sanctus
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Merulo: Innocentes pro Christo O admirabile commercium
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Merulo: Maria unxit pedes Jesu
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Merulo: Maximum hoc omnium
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Merulo: O Adoranda Trinitas
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Merulo: Puer qui natus est
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Merulo: Salvator noster, dilectissimi
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Merulo: Sancti et justi
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Merulo: Stephanus autem plenus gratia
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Merulo: Tribus miraculis
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Merulo: Tu es Petrus