motet notes - Cazzati

Maurizio Cazzati (c. 1620-1677) was one of the most prolific and famous Italian musicians of the 17th century and helped distinguish Bologna as a musical center of the time. As maestro di cappella at San Petronio in Bologna, he gained both renown and criticism for reforming its musical establishment, attracting fine instrumentalists (as well as singers) and enlarging the role of instrumental music in the liturgy.  Though he was (and is) known mainly for his instrumental music – especially for laying the groundwork for the instrumental concerto form – he also composed many oratorios, several operas, and various secular vocal pieces.

This solo motet is a fairly mystical meditation on the Catholic sacrament; like many church composers of his time, Cazzati was also a priest.  Regarding the 'orbe in eucharistico' referred to in the text, as early as the sixth or seventh century CE the bread of communion was already being formed into a small circle using embossed metal plates.

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