The title of this piece
means 'Hail Mary', a common title for a Sacred piece. Therefore we know that
the piece is probably sacred without even looking at the actual music. However when looking more in detail at the
music and text, this sacredness becomes more clear.
However, looking at the piece we can see a number of characteristics that show that it is sacred and was therefore probably sung in a mass, for example the text referring to 'Holy
Mary', and Jesus and 'ora'- begging to the 'Sancta Maria'. Also
'Dominus Tecum', the Lord is with you. Finally at the end there is an 'Amen'.
In terms of the music, there are also things that show that the piece is Sacred. For example the use of three. The words 'ora, ora pro nobis, Sancta Maria' are repeated three times in a row. Also for words like Dominus, Ave Maria, Benedicta, (Master, Hail Mary and Blessed)- the most holy words in the music, there is a crotchet rest at the beginning of the bar , so that the word is sung as a triple meter bar (three crotchets), again the use of three. We know that people in early times thought that the number three was an appropriate way to show holiness because it represents the Holy Trinity. The end of the piece has an Amen. This is representative of prayers, where you say Amen at the end. Again, this shows that the piece is sacred. Also the word Amen is sung as a Plagal Cadence (V, IV), which is the very typical cadence used specifically for the word Amen.
There is word painting in the piece as well which is typical of the period and especially for sacred music, for example often with the word Sancta, the melody rises, symbolising rising up to heaven/ God. On the word Jesus, there is a dotted minim with a pause, so that a lot of emphasis is put on the word, to make people be fully aware of it.
However, looking at the piece we can see a number of characteristics that show that it is sacred and was therefore probably sung in a mass, for example the
In terms of the music, there are also things that show that the piece is Sacred. For example the use of three. The words 'ora, ora pro nobis, Sancta Maria' are repeated three times in a row. Also for words like Dominus, Ave Maria, Benedicta, (Master, Hail Mary and Blessed)- the most holy words in the music, there is a crotchet rest at the beginning of the bar , so that the word is sung as a triple meter bar (three crotchets), again the use of three. We know that people in early times thought that the number three was an appropriate way to show holiness because it represents the Holy Trinity. The end of the piece has an Amen. This is representative of prayers, where you say Amen at the end. Again, this shows that the piece is sacred. Also the word Amen is sung as a Plagal Cadence (V, IV), which is the very typical cadence used specifically for the word Amen.
There is word painting in the piece as well which is typical of the period and especially for sacred music, for example often with the word Sancta, the melody rises, symbolising rising up to heaven/ God. On the word Jesus, there is a dotted minim with a pause, so that a lot of emphasis is put on the word, to make people be fully aware of it.
Noa, firstly I hope that you can read this but it copied over the formatting from your blog. There are some good contextual points made here but you need to articulate the function of the music and the musical genre. You could also afford to give some contextual information about the composer and, at the very least, pin-point the musical period in which this piece was written. You need to ensure that you comment across the breadth of the musical elements and remember to always give accurate bar numbers or a time stamp to support your comments. Bear in mind that 25% of your marks are dedicated to clearly outlining the musical structure. I think you would benefit from revising the Section B criteria, considering how to structure an analytical response and practising a more formal register. Utilise the musical analysis sheet I have uploaded to Edmodo as this should give you a clearer idea of what I expect from you in terms of future blog posts.
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