The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76840   Message #1365637
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
28-Dec-04 - 01:14 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Dona Nobis Pacem (round)
Subject: RE: Origins: Dona Nobis Pacem (round)
Very difficult to pin down, perhaps not possible.
I have a number of 16th-17th century masses on cd and several have very complicated arrangements of the last phrase of the Agnus Dei, Dona nobis pacem, with the voices cascading all over the place, that would drive modern choir singers, used to the simpler arrangements of the baroque composers, to find other occupation. Pope Marcellus complained that the singing was not understandable to the worshipers and that highly trained (thus expensive) singers were necessary. Religious choral music became simpler as a result of his recommendations.

None of the masses I have, however, turn Dona nobis pacem into a canon, or round, and I wonder if any of the 16th-17th c. composers, including Palestrina, would have arranged it in that fashion.

A couple of websites indicate that Bach made quite a production of the final Dona nobis pacem in his Mass in B Minor, but if he made the round, I think that would be common knowledge.