Exultate Deo: Palestrina's Joyful Ode to Psalm 81

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Exultate Deo, the choral work of art by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, is based upon Biblical Psalm 81 and was composed in 1584. Composed in Latin, the piece is typically performed a capella and features 5 voice parts: one soprano, two altos, one tenor and one base. Psalm 81 is comprised of happy verses, prompting rejoicing in God and appreciation. The happy nature of this music can be heard beginning with the extremely first notes, when the melody begins a run up the scale.

Supporting consistency from the lower voices likewise start on an upward run, which paints the visual of sending appreciation up to God.

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At the beginning, the voices are not all singing the same lyrics at the very same time however rather appear to be organized to be duplicating each other. After the first thirty seconds, all voices participate on the same lyrics for a number of procedures. Here, the consistency accents the lyrics by offering depth when all voices are singing the very same words.

The tone of Exultate Deo is brilliant without being delighted. Rather, the method which the music builds and the consistency fits the five voices together provide an enjoyable and delighted feel to the piece. Depth is likewise evident in Exultate Deo, since of the varying speed of the music. While the main melody is of a medium tempo, a lot of the runs fluctuate fairly quickly. The slower tune helps to emphasize the reverential sensation of the song, while the faster runs assistance to build enjoyment.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was an Italian composer who contributed hundreds of choral pieces that were utilized by the Roman Catholic church both throughout his lifetime and throughout the centuries following his death. The easy tones of Exultate Deo help to show why this author's music has actually taken pleasure in appeal for nearly 500 years. Although the five voices of Exultate Deo are intricately wound together, the end product flows so smoothly to be both pleasing to listen to as well as effectively constructing a story-- that is providing praise to God.

As the melody of Exultate Deo progresses towards the end of the piece, the pace becomes more measured, giving a reasoned feeling. As the soprano part is reaches notes in the upper end of the register, it can build the picture, similarly to the upward runs, of reaching towards heaven. There are clear divisions between phrases in Exultate Deo, as the music slows or a new chord progression is followed in order to convey the next thought from Psalm 81.

At the very end of Exultate Deo, all voices come together in a major chord that sounds similar to the end of many religious pieces, signifying both an end to the music and the story that they tell. Just as the beginning of the music signifies exultation through upward runs, the need for solemnity is expressed as the music draws downward to the final note. With far more upward surging runs than downward melodies, Exultate Deo maintains a joyful tone using smooth rhythms from start to finish.