Ave Maria ... virgo serena

Its revolutionary open style featuring early imitative counterpoint and two-voice parts has added to its acclaim as one of the most influential compositions of its time.

[2] Several modern theorists have applied the concept of syntactic imitation to describe the lucid relationship between the text and Josquin's musical setting.

Clear imitation of each phrase, in the style of litany, dramatically echoes from the highest to lowest voice, almost resembling Gregorian chant.

Local details in texture and counterpoint often directly relate to the syntactic effect of the text, like the sudden expanse of homophonic harmonies during "solemni plena gaudio".

Following this moment comes "coelestia, terrestria...," while the vocalists join in climbing melodic lines and dense syncopation.

Ave cujus conceptio, Solemni plena gaudio, Coelestia, terrestria, Nova replete laetitia.

Ave, cujus nativitas, Nostra fuit solemnitas, Ut lucifer lux oriens, Verum solem praeveniens.

Ave, pia humilitas, Sine viro fecunditas, Cuius annunciatio, Nostra fuit salvatio.