Quem Quaeritis in Sepulchro?
This is a conversation between the Angel standing at the tomb (sepulchro, or sepulchre) and the three women that came to care for the body of Jesus. The music reflects this by a responsorial type where the angel speaks and is responded to by three female singers.
Beata Viscera
High Soprano singing of Mary's miracle of chrildbirth. This song contains a refrain, "O new wonder and new joy: the mother's chastity after childbirth." Conductus - sacred nonliturgical vocal composition. This song is solemn, and peaceful, much like the birth of Jesus.
O Maria of Felix
"O Maria" indicates that this song is about Mary. The song goes on poetically describing analogies of Jesus' purity and making allusions to past sacred stories of David, Solomon, and Jacob. There is actually a quote from Jonah 4:6-8! This song is also strophic.
Ave virgo virginum
It's interesting that we have a rhythmic mode. Sounds like 6/8. There are two singers in harmony.This is a Hail Mary. It seems as though, other than many parallel fifths, and the last cadence, that we have some contemporary leading-tone cadences. Sounds like we're nearing counterpoint, as we have lots of contrary motion.
Vetus abit Littera
This is the first time that I hear what could be mixed voices singing sumultaneously. There is still a ton of Perfect intervals. I also hear three voices from time to time, although I think it's primarily two voices. Also another 6/8. This song is quite joyful because it's an "out with the old in with the new" feel, where the new guys is liked a whole lot better. The title says 4-part conductus, although I didn't identify where that happened. It's strophic. It seems like at the end of the stanzas, it could be like a refrain, but the text does change.
Pia Mater Gratie
Another song honoring Mary. I would assume 'mater' being mother, and 'gratie' being a thanks to the 'mater'. This song has long melismas. It seems more fluid than the other examples.
Allelulia Pascha Nostrum
HUGE melismas. This song uses a lot of pedal in the bass. The bass line definately has rhythmic motives used.
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