Fratres ego enim accepi

Philippe de Monte's Fratres ego enim accepi is a rich, polyphonic motet for SSATTB voices. It opens with the solemn words of St Paul concerning the Last Supper, recalling Christ's institution of the Eucharist and the command to remember him. The composer sets this sacred text with a dense, imitative texture where the inner voices weave around the melodic lines of the outer parts, creating a resonant and devotional atmosphere. Following the narrative of the Last Supper, the music shifts to a more lyrical and expressive setting of a prayer exalting the sweetness of God's spirit, which provides heavenly bread for the hungry. The composer's masterful handling of the large choir allows for a full and sonorous sound, ideal for liturgical settings or concert performance.