MUSIC FOR BRUNELLESCHI’S DOME
Terribilis est locus iste. Magnificent is this place.—Guillaume Dufay, ‘Nuper Rosarum Flores’
I am listening to Guillaume Dufay this month, and my attention was captured by his beautiful motet Nuper Rosarum Flores. I was all the more intrigued when I learned it was composed for the 1436 consecration of the dome of Basilica de Santa Maria de Fiore. This massive brick dome was a feat of medieval technology, accomplished by Filippo Brunelleschi.
What just happens to be on my library book shelf?—Ross King’s {so far} excellent Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture.
I love connections like this!
Interestingly, it has been argued that the proportional structure of the motet was inspired by I Kings 6:1-20, which gives the dimensions of Solomon’s temple.
• The dome of the Basilica de Santa Maria de Fiore crowns the city of Florence. •
April 8, 2014