Abstract

HERRERA ZAPIEN, Tarsicio. Vitalidad del latín en obras corales desde Palestrina hasta Mozart y Fauré. Nova tellus [online]. 2007, vol.25, n.1, pp.283-299. ISSN 0185-3058.  https://doi.org/10.19130/iifl.nt.2007.25.1.220.

Some of us, classicists, who sing choral texts in Latin, have the Roman language as our second language. Here you have some of its pinnacles. The polyphonic Missa Papae Marcelli is the summit of Palestrina’s polyphony. This composer reaches here a brilliant melting of melodic grace in Gregorian chant, and the richness of nuances in polyphony.

Then, when two centuries of Mozart’s death were accomplished, Mexico, as every musical capital, performed his immortal Requiem and didn’t hesitate about singing it in Latin. Then, when Italian poet Manzoni died, Verdi composed in his honor his powerful Latin Requiem.

Finally, Gabriel Fauré composed his intimate Requiem when his parents passed away. In all of those funeral masses Latin language has always been the favorite language for extending life beyond death.

Keywords : Fauré; latín; Mozart; música; obras corales; Palestrina.