Music
From the musical aspect, Gaude, mater Polonia holds a unique melodic line, not resembling in any way to those known as Latin anthems. Its melody has a symmetrical structure, of an arc or bow type, making it a story-type melody, characterized by folk songs. It has an overjoyed yet proud character.
It is most commonly sung in the arrangement of Teofil Tomasz Klonowski (1805–1876). This arrangement is written for a four voice mixed choir. The melody is captured in a four measure phrase. Through contemporary times, this anthem, although no longer the anthem of Poland, often accompanies religious and national ceremonies.
As far as the text is analyzed, it is part of a 13th century rhymed Latin history of St. Stanislas, authored by Vincent of Kielcz. But the melody is originally known as the anthem to St. Dominic "Gaude Mater Ecclesia", having its roots in the Italian Dominicans. The same melody is shared by a gregorian choral O Salutaris Hostia.
Read more about this topic: Gaude Mater Polonia
Famous quotes containing the word music:
“If you really believe music is dangerous, you should let it go in one ear and out the other.”
—José Bergamín (1895–1983)
“Nearly all the bands are mustered out of service; ours therefore is a novelty. We marched a few miles yesterday on a road where troops have not before marched. It was funny to see the children. I saw our boys running after the music in many a group of clean, bright-looking, excited little fellows.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“So gladly, from the songs of modern speech
Men turn, and see the stars, and feel the free
Shrill wind beyond the close of heavy flowers,
And through the music of the languid hours,
They hear like ocean on a western beach
The surge and thunder of the Odyssey.”
—Andrew Lang (1844–1912)