Hoc est praeceptum meum

This motet unfolds with a rich SAATB texture, the voices weaving together to create a devotional atmosphere. Giaches de Wert sets a passage from the Gospel of John, a profound text in which Christ speaks of his commandment to love one another as he has loved us. The music mirrors the tenderness and sincerity of the words, exploring the depth of sacrificial love described in the text. The composer masterfully employs the five voices to articulate the unfolding message, moving from intimate personal address to a statement of ultimate devotion. This is a moving setting of a core New Testament passage, suitable for services and concerts where reflection on Christian love is central.