Alessandro Grandi

When he arrived to take up a position at Venice's St Marks in 1617, Grandi had already been maestro di cappella in Ferrara for several years. He left for Bergamo in 1627, only to fall victim to the plague there in 1630.

The first pages of our editions can be seen by clicking on the relevant links below to PDF files that also include the introduction to each title:

SOLO MOTETS

SOPRANO DUETS

MOTETS FOR SATB

Amo Christum

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  • Description

A delightful motet from Grandi's Terzo libro di mottetti con sinfonie of 1629 in which the verses and ritornelli become increasingly ornate.

Edited by Brian Clark.
8pp.
Scoring: Soprano, 2 violins, continuo.

Anima mea liquefacta est

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"My soul is melted" is the opening of the text of this expressive motet. The phrase returns throughout the work, each time given to a different voice until, finally, all five singers "melt" in a downward spiral to an effective plagal cadence.

Scoring: SATTB, continuo.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Performance material by negotiation.

Aperi mihi

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Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.
Scoring: Soprano, Tenor, continuo.

Audite populi

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  • Description
This motet for Alto and Continuo is printed here in treble clef. It is also available in trebletenor clef at the same pitch, if required. The texts are paraphrases of words from the Books of Jeremiah and Joel.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.

Audivi vocem

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Scored for SSATB and continuo, this motet initially sets the tenor and bass apart from the upper voices until the final section, "And we shall always give you praise".
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Performance materials by negotiation.

Ave mundi spes

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Setting a Marian text (Grandi's favourite sort of text!), this motet for soprano, two violins and continuo is from his third book of such motets, and is written in his familiar strophic form: some editorial ornamentation is added at the close.

Edited by Brian Clark.
4pp.

Ave regina caelorum

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After the opening "Ave" comes a Tenor / Bass duet. The second "Ave" is followed by a duet for the Sopranos. Thereafter, Grandi uses the five-part texture, alternates between three high voices and three low ones, before building to the final SSATB cadence "et pro nobis Christum exora."
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Performance materials by negotiation.

Ave sanctissima Maria

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  • Description
This soprano duet setting of a text atrributed to Pope Sixtus IV comes from Grandi's last book of concertato motets, published in 1630. There is little virtuosity; Grandi's interest seems to have lain more in producing a euphonious sound.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.

Benedictus sit

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  • Description
This Soprano / Alto duet comes from the sixth and last of the composer's concertato motets, printed in 1630 (the year he died). Setting two verses of s text based on quotations from the Book of Tobias, the motet alternates between common and triple time. Both sections end with an extensive Alleluia.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Bone Jesu verbum Patris

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This soprano duet was published in the composer's fourth book of motets.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.

Bone Jesu verbum Patris

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This setting of a free poetic text is one of two duets from the 1629 Terzo libro de motetti.. con sinfonie.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Cantabo Domine

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Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.
Scoring: Soprano, continuo.

Cantemus Domino

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  • Description
Taken from Il secondo libro de motetti of 1617 (reprinted in 1628), this piece for SAB and continuo sets a text from the Book of Exodus.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Decantabant populus Israel

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  • Description

A motet in praise of God for tenor, two violins and continuo in which triple and common time alternate, and flowing melody is contrasted with declamatory passages. This piece can also be sung by sopranos.

Edited by Brian Clark.
12pp.

Deus canticum novum

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  • Description
The text of this solo soprano motet comes from various psalms.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.

Deus Deus meus

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  • Description
Taken from Grandi's first publication (1610, the year Monteverdi's Vespers were also printed), this setting of texts selected from various psalms is scored for Soprano, Alto, Bass and Continuo.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.

Deus misereatur nostri

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  • Description

The third soprano part of this setting from Psalm 66 (67) is rather low and should perhaps be taken by an alto. The motet was first published in 1617.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Deus misereatur nostri

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  • Description
Scored for the unusual combination of three Basses and continuo, this fine piece comes from Grandi's second book of concertato motets. The text comes from the first two verses of Psalm 66 [67 in the King James version].
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Deus misereatur nostri

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  • Description
This is an extraordinary tour de force, setting the opening verses of Psalm 66 [67 in King James] for five equal voices (TTTTT). Grandi's lightness of touch ensures that the texture remains light and transparent - mindful perhaps of the text "May he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us".
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Deus qui nos in tantis periculis

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  • Description
This motet for SATB and continuo is from Grandi's Quatro libro de motetti (originally 1618, but the edition is based on the corrected reprint of 1628).
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Domine ne in furore

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Published in the year of the composer's death, this setting of Psalm 6 for SATB and continuo comes from the 6th books of motets.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.

Exaudi Deus

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  • Description

This is one of the very few motets by Grandi that have been published before. Dennis's Urtext version offers performers the chance to enjoy a fine work with a perfect balance between the five voices (SATTB). The text is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, and Grandi responds with some very effective harmonic writing. Edited by Dennis Collins.
12pp.

Performance materials by negotiation.

Exulta et laetare terra

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  • Description
This joyful duet for Soprano and Bass comes from Grandi's fourth book of motets, printed in Venice in 1628. It is slightly coloured by the composer's use of a minor key for the setting.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.

Factum est silentium

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Edited by Dennis Collins.
8pp.
Scoring: SATB, 2 violins, chitaronne, continuo.

Performance materials by negotiation.

Fasciculus myrrhae

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  • Description
Like over one third of the motets in Grandi's only solo book, this short motet is a setting of a text of the Song of Songs, comparing the beloved with a bundle of myrrh and a cluster of cypress. It is printed for soprano, but can also be sung by tenors.
Edited by Dennis Collins.
4pp.