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The six-part In illo tempore, a setting of part of the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent, was published in Venice in 1539. It is difficult to say what particular qualities of the piece caused Monteverdi to select it as the model for his six-part Mass of the same name. What is significant is that with a repertoire from Josquin to Palestrina and Lassus to choose from for a major work in the old style (‘prima prattica’) dedicated to the Pope, Monteverdi chose a piece by Gombert, including in his title the ten points of imitation selected from the motet as the basis of the work.

from notes by John O'Donnell © 1997