Deus qui Ecclesiam tuam

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was a towering figure of late Renaissance polyphony. This sacred motet, Deus qui Ecclesiam tuam, is written for a large SSATTB choir, allowing for rich harmonic textures. Sung in Latin, the text is a prayer to God, asking for the Church to be multiplied through the merits of Saint Francis. It petitions that, by imitating Saint Francis, the faithful may learn to despise earthly things and rejoice in the participation of heavenly gifts. Palestrina's masterful handling of vocal lines creates a sonorous and devotional setting, characteristic of the Roman school's esteemed tradition.