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Alleluia. Tulerunt Dominum is slightly unusual from a liturgical point of view, since although the text appears as a Magnificat antiphon on Friday in Easter week, in this form it lacks the initial Alleluia set by Palestrina. Following this opening section, the phrase ‘Tulerunt Dominum meum’ (‘They have taken away my Lord’) is stated initially by the two upper voices (perhaps an allusion to the two Marys?) before being developed by the whole choir. Later the words ‘si tu’ (‘if you’) are pointed, almost accusatory, before the rejoicing mood returns with syncopation at ‘dicito mihi’ (‘tell me’) and a final Alleluia.

from notes by Stephen Rice © 2013