Sicut cervus

G. P. da Palestrina

Key

F

Time

C

Tempo

♩=60

AO focus

AO3

Form

Motet for SATB. Setting of Psalm 42: 'As the deer longs for water-streams'. Two-part form (prima pars, secunda pars). One of the most-anthologised Renaissance motets — a perfect first introduction to imitative polyphony.

Teaching points

• Imitative entries — voices enter one at a time on the same melodic shape, a fifth or fourth apart
• Modal harmony — F Ionian (≈ modern F major) but with frequent excursions to D Aeolian (≈ D minor)
• AO1: choral standard for any school choir capable of four-part work; textbook teaching of polyphonic style