Gloria in excelsis

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's setting of the Gloria in excelsis Deo is a powerful sacred motet for SATB choir. The text, taken from the Ordinary of the Mass, is sung in Latin and proclaims the glory of God. The music unfolds the familiar words of praise, adoration, and supplication, from the opening declaration of glory to the heavens to the final ascription of holiness and lordship to Jesus Christ. Pergolesi's setting, characteristic of the Italian sacred music tradition of its time, would have been heard in liturgical settings. This work allows a choir to explore the rich devotional language of the Gloria through the composer's expressive musical setting.