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A '''Motet''' is a vocal [[composition]] with parts for different voices, usually based on a sacred text.

A '''motet''' is a form of short unaccompanied [[polyphony|polyphonic]] choral music, originally to a [[Latin]] liturgical or sacred text, that appeared in the thirteenth century as a reaction against the plainsong chant .  By the 15th century the motet had settled into a standard form with an increasing number of vocal parts and by the time of [[Palestrina]] and [[Lassus]], with the mass, it had become the main liturgical music.

Later, it would include settings in the [[vernacular]], as were the [[Bach]] motets written for funeral services in the first half of the 18th century.

[[category:music]]

By this time in England, the motet had been superseded by the [[anthem]] (although the interest in things [[Tudor]] in the first half of the 20th century would bring about some revival of the form.) In catholic [[Europe]] there were only sporadic instances of motet writing in the [[Classical period (music)|Classical]] and [[Romantic period (music)|Romantic]] eras. The [[German]] [[Lutheran]] tradition is mainly represented by the seven motets of [[Brahms]].

 

[[Category: Sacred Music]]