Interesting comparisons have been drawn between the style of Lasso and
that of Palestrina. The fact is that in formal arrangement Palestrina's
masses bear a close assemblance to the most modern of Lasso's works.
It is only when the Flemish master is writing in the style of his
predecessors that his construction ceases to bear resemblance to that of
the Italian. Both excelled in one style--that in which the profundity
of contrapuntal skill results in an appearance of simplicity and in a
real conveyance of emotion. The difference between the men lies in the
character of their musical thought, and that difference has been most
excellently expressed by Ambros, who says: "The one (Palestrina) brings
the angelic host to earth; the other raises man to eternal regions, both
meeting in the realm of the ideal." Fétis, in his prize essay of 1828,
says: "Too many writers in their eulogies of Lasso have called him the
Prince of musicians of his age. Whatever be the respect which I have
for that great man, I declare that I am not able to acquiesce in this
exaggerated admiration. It is sufficient for the glory of Lasso that
he equalled the reputation of a musician like Palestrina; it would be
unjust to accord him the superiority. In examining the works of these
two celebrated artists, one remarks the different qualities which they
possess and which gives to them an individual physiognomy. The music
of the former is graceful and elegant (for the time in which it was
composed); but that of Palestrina has more force and seriousness. That
of Lasso is more singable and shows greater imagination, but that of his
rival is much more learned. In the motets and madrigals of Palestrina are
effects of mass which are admirable; but the French songs of Lasso are
full of most interesting details. In fine they deserve to be compared
with one another; that is a eulogy of both."
Fétis's assertion that the music of Palestrina is the more learned is
a trifle vague. The fact is that the learning of Palestrina's music is
greater than that of Lasso's only because the former more successfully
conceals itself. Nothing could be more lovely in its simplicity than
Lasso's "Adoramus te" given by Naumann, but its simplicity is that of the
chorale style. The "Regina Coeli" given by Rochlitz is a fine specimen
of double counterpoint. The "Salve Regina," given by the same author, is
in free chorale style and is written for solo quartet and chorus. The
"Angelus ad pastores," while not strict in its counterpoint, is full of
learned work, yet withal is not involved in style. The "Principal Parts
of the 51st Psalm," also printed in Rochlitz's work, looks very much like
a modern anthem, especially the "Gloria patri." The madrigals of Lasso
are charming in their native humor and in the piquancy of their part
writing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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