motet notes - Hassler

"Dixit Maria," by Hans Leo Hassler (1564–1612), is Mary’s reply to the Angel’s announcement that Mary was to be the mother of the Son of God. Set in a typical Renaissance style, the tenors begin with the first theme which is then imitated four notes lower by the altos, then by the sopranos eight notes higher, and finally by the basses who sing exactly what the tenors sang. At the words “Ecce ancilla Domini” a new point of imitation is introduced in order to emphasize the beginning of Mary’s reply to the Angel.

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