: a polyphonic choral composition on a sacred text usually without instrumental accompaniment
Examples of motet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAccording to Francisco, the composers represented no less than 30 print collections of solo songs, cantatas, motets, polyphonic works, settings for psalms and masses, a magnificat, a vespers service, a dozen sonatas, and scores for nine operas and other staged works.—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 In Alium, the famous 40-part motet.—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2021 In between the driving turbulence of its first movement and an unremittingly grim passacaglia as its final movement was an adaptation of a medieval form—the isorhythmic motet—in which searing gestures alternated with passages of ethereal tranquility.—Walter Simmons, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021 An early breakthrough came from listening to a traditional singer of the Serer people, whose plaintive melody reminded Catta of a Renaissance motet.—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Philippe Herreweghe led his Ghent choir in a fine performance of Mendelssohn’s motet.—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 As well as hymns, a motet and a sermon, the solemn vespers would include a gigantic two-part oratorio composed by the church’s Cantor—the director of music—with a text taken from St. Matthew’s gospel.—Boyd Tonkin, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2022 The ceiling is tall and arched, like the hallways of a cloister, and offers acoustics befitting a motet.—Gregory Barber, Wired, 10 Feb. 2022 But the motet ends with the calm assurance of a Lutheran hymn.—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French, diminutive of mot
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