Question

What is a motet? How many voices are in this piece written for? Why are some parts polyphonic and others homophonic? Sometimes motets were played as instrumental music. If this piece were performed on instruments, how would that change the feeling?

Answer 1

1. I believe the correct answer is mainly vocal musical composition.

 

The motet is mainly vocal musical composition characteristic for the western world (West Europe). Motet is a highly varied form and style, which is consistently used from the late medieval era to the modern times. It was one of the pre-eminent polyphonic forms of Renaissance music.

 

2. I believe the correct answer is mostly three voices.

 

The motets can have multiple voices, but the most common is the three voices. But, these different voices never overpower each other, as the emphasis is on the music itself. They echo and overlap one another to create more texture, while maintaining the identity of their singular voice in the music. Compositions like this are "Ave Maria, Gratia Plena".

 

3. I believe the correct answer is some parts are polyphonic and some are homophonic for contrast and variety.

 

Until the 16th century, texture of the music was primary polyphonic, but to add the contrast and variety, composers started writing some parts in homophony. Homophony is a texture in which a primary part is supported by one, and in polyphony the voices overlap, but never overpower each other.

 

4.I believe the correct answer is instrumental motets make you feel like you’re inside the melody.

 

In the period of Baroque (16-17 century), the instrumental music was being included in chants like motets, and with the time, some motets became instrumental. Instrumental motets used technique called hocket, which involves layering different melodies on top of each other to unify them. Motets being mostly religious, instrumental music was more enchanting and absorbing than singing and the hocket technique add the harmony which makes you feel like you’re inside the melody itself.