In ecclesiis

Giovanni Gabrieli (c.15551612) Analysis of bars 3961: This section is a duet for alto and tenor voices with freely contrapuntal instrumental and continuo accompaniment in 6 parts. It is marked by a gradually increasing complexity of rhythm and increasingly intense contrapuntal writing. The interval of the fourth, first seen in the tenor part at bar 40, becomes important in the development of the music. At bar 41, a dotted rhythm is introduced, at first in the trombone part, which gives an impression of counterpoint within the instrumentation. The way in which the accented syllables fall on the stronger beats, such as the salutari in bars 41-46, shows a respect for the natural stresses of the Latin language. There are passing references to G minor both at bar 43 and 46. At bar 43 there is some unusual angularity in the alto line. B minor, a more distant key to the general tonality of A minor or Aeolian mode, is heard at bars 48-49. Throughout, the In Deo text is treated antiphonally by the voices. The descending melody first seen in the counter tenor solo starting at the upbeat to bar 4 in the opening section is ornamented at bar 51. This alterered melody is imitated by the alto; this imitation continues until the end of the section. The cadence at bars 60 to 61 moves to A major, creating a Tierce de Picardie.