O Domine Jesu Christe

This motet in two parts is devotional in character, with each section opening with homophonic writing before elaborating on close imitative polyphonic lines. The motet demonstrates a mature writing style that would be expected of a composer years beyond the age of the young Monteverdi. The text is based on the first two stanzas of a prayer attributed to Pope Gregory I that contemplates the Passion of Our Lord.

Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.