The mass and the motet are the most important musical components of the Catholic liturgy. The development of vocal polyphony in the Medieval Period culminated in the perfection of these forms in the sixteenth century. The purpose of this thesis is to give an account of the development of religious monody and polyphony that led to the inception of the motet in the early part of the thirteenth century; to show the development of the motet through the sixteenth century; to give a more detailed analysis of the style of Palestrina; and to emphasize the analysis with a stylistic examination of a Palestrina motet.

The purpose of this Thesis is to present a modern critical edition of the Missa Assumpta est Maria (H. 11) and the Elevation a 5, sans dessus de violon (H. 251) of Marc-Antoine Charpentier (c. 1634-1704). The Thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter provides an introductory biography of the composer and a general overview of his works. The second chapter deals specifically with the Missa Assumpta est Maria and the Elevation a 5, offering first an investigation of the historical background to these works. This discussion continues with stylistic analyses and is followed by an examination into questions of performance practice that are raised by the music. The chapter is completed with a declaration of editorial principles, critical notes, texts and translations, and a conclusion. The final chapter of the Thesis is comprised of the edited transcriptions of the Missa Assumpta est Maria and the Elevation a 5, sans dessus de violon. Endnotes and bibliography are inserted at the end of chapter two.

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