Gratia Dei a 7

Tiburtio Massaino was a prolific composer of sacred polyphony in the late Renaissance. This motet, Gratia Dei a 7, is written for SSAATTB choir, demanding a large vocal ensemble. The Latin text, drawn from the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15:10), speaks of God's grace enabling one to strive, complete the course, and keep the faith, thus earning a crown of righteousness. Massaino's setting would have been intended for liturgical use within the Catholic Church, reflecting the era's rich tradition of unaccompanied choral music. The intricate seven-part writing offers opportunities for dynamic and textural contrast, with the composer skillfully navigating the large forces to project the devotional message of the text.