Convertimini ad me in toto corde

Nicolas Payen's Convertimini ad me in toto corde is a motet for STTB voices, setting a Latin text that draws from the Old Testament. The music opens with a direct address, urging a turning to the Lord with the whole heart, followed by a description of penitential practices: fasting, weeping, and lamentation. The text then calls for the wicked to abandon their ways and return to the Lord, promising mercy. Payen's setting uses the four-part texture to create a rich, imitative sound world, reflecting the seriousness of the penitential call and the hope of divine compassion. It is a compelling example of sacred polyphony from its era, ideal for liturgical settings or concerts.