Fili, quid fecisti nobis

Orlando di Lasso sets a dramatic text from the Gospel of Luke in this SSATB motet. The words express the sorrow of Mary and Joseph upon finding the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple, and his reply that he must be in his Father's house. Lasso's setting reflects the emotional weight of the text, moving from the parents' lament to Jesus's youthful assertion of his divine mission. This sacred motet would make a compelling addition to a service or concert, offering a rich exploration of a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. The composer's mastery of contrapuntal writing and harmonic colour are evident throughout this powerful setting.