Cantabant sancti

Ippolito Baccusi's motet Cantabant sancti unfolds with a rich SATTB texture, creating a vibrant sonic landscape. The composer masterfully evokes the 'new song' sung by the saints before the throne of God, as described in the Latin text. The music resonates with the exultation of the text, depicting those who are 'firstfruits unto God and the Lamb' and found without guile. The repeated phrase 'et resonabat terra in voces eorum' (‘and the earth echoed with their voices’) is given particular emphasis, reinforcing the immense power and breadth of the heavenly praise.