Pervigilium Veneris

Pervigilium Veneris is a cantata composed after an anonymous poem from the third century. The rondo form is strongly related to the poem?s structure which alternates a refrain with verses. In the introduction, the voices present the refrains and the first line of the verse using spoken rhythm accompanied with non-pitched percussion. The marimba introduces the element of pitch after the first refrain and the repetition of an A flat on the second line of the first verse is used as a transition from the non-pitched to the pitched material of the piece. On the following appearances of the refrain there is a melody line with an incremental increase of voices and instruments towards the end. On the verses single-pitched rhythmic phrases are alternated with modal melodies rotating the voices of the choir in groups. The dynamics of the piece move in blocks evoking ancient Roman architecture.

Autorentext

Federico J. Garcia-Castells was born in Mexico City on 1968. He studied at The National School of Music (U.N.A.M.), and graduated in 2003 with a mayor in Composition. In 2006 he taught music theory at Brevard music center in North Carolina and finished a Masters in Music Composition at the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 2007.