Coenantibus illis

This motet sets a passage from the Last Supper narrative. It would be especially fitting for services during Holy Week or for celebrations of the Eucharist. The text describes Jesus taking bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Giulio Belli's SSATTB setting makes full use of the seven voices, creating a rich and devotional atmosphere. The composer was active in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, and this motet reflects the contrapuntal and expressive style of sacred polyphony from that era. The Latin text allows for a universal, spiritual experience, suitable for services in many traditions.