motet notes - Hassler

Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) served as court organist to the Elector of Saxony in Dresden. His choral works range from light, madrigalian compositions for a few voices to double- and triple-chorus motets in the Venetian early Baroque style and masses. Born in Nuremburg, Germany, he went to Venice at the age of twenty to study with Andrea Gabrieli; he was the first of several important German composers who sought out the Italian musical scene.

"Ecce quam bonum," a setting of Psalm 133, is replete with melodic grace, clear texture, and positive ambiance. The entire Psalm 133, with its repeated references both to brethren (or family); and pouring, running down, or falling down depicts a slowly flowing rain of blessings. While the musical style is more that of a secular madrigal, Hassler later used it as the basis for his parody mass of the same name.

‍