Dr. Jimbob's Home -> Classical Music -> Choral Music Introductions -> Spring 2006 Concert

Texts and Translations - Back Bay Chorale - Spring 2006 Concert

One Woman: one thousand years of music

Contents of this page:

  1. Anton Bruckner: Motet, Ave Maria
  2. Gregorian Chant: Alma Redemptoris Mater
  3. Tomás Luis de Victoria: Antiphon, Alma Redemptoris Mater
  4. Benjamin Britten: Anthem, A Hymn to the Virgin (1930)
    Olivier Messiaen: Ta Voix: Fenêtre pleine d'après-midi (solo piece for Amanda Jellen)
  5. Francis Poulenc: Litanies à la Vierge Noire (SSA)
  6. Poulenc: Antiphon, Salve Regina
  7. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Kyrie
  8. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Gloria
    Intermission
  9. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Credo
  10. Edvard Grieg: Vesper hymn, Ave Maris Stella
    Felix Mendelssohn: Salve Regina (solo piece for Amanda Jellen)
  11. Britten: from Sacred and Profane, Op. 91:
  12. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Sanctus
  13. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Agnus Dei
  14. John Tavener: A Hymn to the Mother of God
  15. Tavener: Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God
  16. Sergei Rachmaninov: from Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37:
  • Web sites with more information
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    Prelude to concert
    (will be a movie panning Ken Burns-style over the image):
    Rogier van der Weyden, Flemish (c.1400-1464)
    St. Luke Drawing the Virgin, c.1435-1440.
    Oil and tempera on panel
    137.5 x 110.8 cm (54 1/8 x 43 5/8 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 93.153.

    1. Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896): Motet, Ave Maria

    Accompanying image: Piermatteo d'Amelia (attrib. Fiorenza di Lorenzo), c. 1450-1503/1508
    Annunciation, c. 1475
    Tempera on wood, 102.4 x 114.8 cm
    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
     
    See my web page on Bruckner motets for biography and background notes.
    Motet in 7 parts, written 1861.
    Text after Luke 1:28, 42.
    Click here for MIDI files of the motet.
    A personal favorite recording features the Corydon Singers under Matthew Best on the Hyperion label.
    
       Ave Maria, gratia plena, 
       Dominus tecum. 
       Benedicta tu in mulieribus
       et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. 
       
       Sancta Maria, mater Dei, 
       ora pro nobis peccatoribus, 
       nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. 
       Amen. 
    		
    
       Hail Mary, full of grace, 
       the Lord is with you,
       you are blessed among women,
       and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
       
       Holy Mary, mother of God,
       pray for us sinners,
       now and in the hour of our death. 
       Amen. 
    	

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    2. Gregorian Chant and 3. Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 - 1611): Antiphon, Alma Redemptoris Mater

    Image to accompany first half of plain chant:
    Studio of Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro Filipepi), Italian, 1445 - 1510
    Virgin and Child, c. 1490
    Tempera on panel, 88.9 cm x 55.88 cm
    Fogg Art Museum, 1943.105
    Image to accompany second half of plain chant beginning at "Tu quae genuisti":
    Francisco Goya y Lucientes, Spanish, 1746 - 1828
    The Annunciation, c.1785
    Oil on canvas, 40.3 x 23.2 cm (15 7/8 x 9 1/8 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1988.218
    Image to accompany Victoria motet:
    Sassoferrato (Giovanni Battista Salvi), Italian (Roman), active in 1605 - 1685
    Virgin and Child
    Oil on canvas mounted on masonite, 48.3 x 38.7 cm (19 x 15 1/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1991.693
    Text attributed to Hermanus Contractus (1013 - 1054).
    Click here for MIDI files of the individual choral parts to the 8-part motet.
    There is a recording of the motet, with The Sixteen under Harry Christophers.
    
       Alma Redemptoris Mater
       quae pervia caeli porta manes
       et stella maris,
       succurre cadenti 
       surgere qui curat populo.
     
       Tu quae genuisti
       natura mirante,
       tuum sanctum Genitorum,
       Virgo prius ac posterius,
       Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud Ave,
       peccatorum miserere.
    		
       
       Kindly Mother of the Redeemer,
       who remains the open gate of heaven,
       and star of the sea,
       succor the fallen people 
       as they strive to arise.
       
       You who brought forth 
       as nature marvelled,
       your Holy Creator,
       Virgin both before and after
       who from Gabriel's mouth received that "Ave,"
       have mercy on sinners.
    	

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    4. Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976): Anthem, A Hymn to the Virgin (1930)

    Accompanying image for first half:
    Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro Filipepi), 1444/45 - 1510
    Virgin and Child with an Angel, early 1470s
    Tempera and oil on wood, 85.2 x 65 cm
    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    Image to accompany second half, starting at "Lady, flow'r of everything":
    Fra Angelico, Italian (Florentine), c. 1395/1400 - 1455
    Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor, c. 1446-49
    Tempera on panel, 24.9 x 24.8 cm (9 13/16 x 9 3/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 14.416
    Text: Anonymous, c.1300, published in The Oxford Book of English Verse, Clarendon Press, 1919.
    Andrew Kuster's essay on Britten's poetic alterations.
    Try Berkshire Record Outlet for CD's with both the Britten Hymn and Sacred and Profane.
    
       Of one that is so fair and bright
          Velut maris stella,
       Brighter than the day is light,
          Parens et puella:
       I cry to thee, thou see to me,
       Lady, pray thy Son for me,
          Tam pia,
       That I may come to thee.
          Maria!
    
       All this world was forlorn
          Eva peccatrice,
       Till our Lord was y-born
          De te genetrice.
       With ave it went away
       Darkest night, and comes the day
          Salutis;
       The well springeth out of thee.
          Virtutis.
    
       Lady, flow'r of ev'ry thing,
          Rosa sine spina,
       Thou bare Jesu, Heaven's King,
          Gratia divina:
       Of all thou bear'st the prize,
       Lady, queen of paradise
          Electa:
       Maid mild, mother es
          Effecta.
         	
    
    
       as the star of the sea
    
       parent and daughter
    
    
       How holy!
    
       Mary!
    
    
       Eve the sinner,
    
       from you the mother.
    
    
       Greetings;
    
       Virtue.
    
    
       Rose without thorns,
    
       esteemed goddess
    
    
       the chosen one
    
       complete
    		

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    5. Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963): Litanies à la Vierge Noire (SSA)

    Animated image to accompany beginning of Litanies:
    Pietro Lorenzetti, Italian (1306 - 1348)
    Christ on the Cross with the Virgin and Saints Clare, John the Evangelist, and Francis, c. 1320
    Tempera and gold leaf on panel, 45.4 cm x 36.3 cm
    Fogg Art Museum, 1943.119
    Accompanying image beginning at [4]: "Sainte Vierge Marie":
    Luca Signorelli, Italian (Tuscan), c. 1450 - 1523
    Virgin and Child with an Angel, c.1470-75
    Tempera and oil on panel, 59 x 40.6 cm (23 1/4 x 16 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 22.697
    Accompanying image beginning at [7]: "Reine, à qui Roland consacra son épée":
    Master of Bonastre, Spanish (Valencian), active in mid 15th century
    Coronation of the Virgin
    Oil on panel, 134.6 x 107.3 cm (53 x 42 1/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 10.36
    Accompanying image beginning at [8]: "Notre Dame, dont le pélerinage":
    Master of the Johnson Nativity, Italian (Florentine), last third of the 15th century
    Virgin and Child, c. 1470
    Tempera on panel, 72.5 x 44.9 cm (28 9/16 x 17 11/16 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 64.2379
    Accompanying image beginning at [10]: "Agneau de Dieu":
    Giotto di Bondone, Italian, 1267 - 1337
    Presentation of Christ in the Temple, c. 1320
    Tempera and gold on wood, 45.2 x 43.6 cm
    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    Accompanying image beginning at [13]: "Notre Dame, priez pour nous":
    Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro), Italian (Florence), 1390/95 - 1455
    Death and Assumption of the Virgin, c. 1432
    Tempera and gold on wood, 61.8 x 38.5 cm
    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    Words: Anonymous, 14th century
    For more information about litanies.
    For more information about Rocamadour, literally the Rock of St. Amadour, where the Shrine to the Black Madonna inspired Poulenc to return to his Catholic faith and write this, the first of a series of quirkily personal religious music.
    There are MIDI files of each of the individual parts here.
    
       Seigneur, ayez pitié de nous,
       Jésus-Christ, ayez pitié de nous.
       Jésus-Christ, écoutez-nous,
       Jésus-Christ exaucez nous.
    
       Dieu le père, créateur, 
          ayez pitié de nous.
       Dieu le fils, rédempteur, 
          ayez pitié de nous.
       Dieu le Sáint-Esprit, sanctificateur, 
          ayez pitié de nous.
       Trinité Sainte, qui êtes un seul Dieu, 
          ayez pitié de nous.
       
       Sainte Vierge Marie, priez pour nous,
       Vierge, reine et patronne, priez pour nous.
       Vierge que Zachée le publicain 
          nous a fait connaître et aimer,
       Vierge à qui Zachée ou Saint Amadour 
          eleva ce sanctuaire, priez pour nous.
    
       Reine du sanctuaire, que consacra Saint Martial 
          et où il célébra ses saints mystères,
       Reine, près de laquelle S'agenouilla Saint Louis 
          vous demandant le bonheur de la France, 
          priez pour nous.
       Reine à qui Roland consacra son épee, 
          priez pour nous.
       Reine, dont la banière gagna les battailles, 
          priez pour nous.
       Reine, dont la main délivrait les captifs, 
          priez pour nous.
    
       Notre Dame, dont le pèlerinage est enrichi 
          de faveurs spéciales.
       Notre Dame, que l'impiété et la haine 
          ont voulu souvent détruire.
       Notre Dame, que les peuples visitent 
          comme autrefois,
          priez pour nous.
    
       Agneau de Dieu, qui effacez les péchés du monde,
          pardonnez-nous.
       Agneau de Dieu, qui effacez les péchés du monde, 
          exaucez-nous.
       Agneau de Dieu, qui effacez les péchés du monde, 
          ayez pitié de nous.
    
       Notre Dame, priez pour nous 
          afin que nous soyons dignes de Jésus-Christ.
    		
    
       Lord, have mercy on us,
       Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
       Jesus Christ, hear us,
       Jesus Christ, grant our prayer.
       
       God the Father, Creator, 
          have mercy on us.
       God the Son, Redeemer, 
          have mercy on us.
       God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier, 
          have mercy on us.
       Holy Trinity, who are one God,
          have mercy on us.
       
       Holy Virgin Mary, pray for us,
       Virgin, queen and patroness, pray for us.
       Virgin, whom Zacchaeus the tax collector 
          has made us know and love,
       Virgin, for whom Zacchaeus or St. Amadour
          raised this shrine, pray for us.
       
       Queen of the shrine which Saint Martial consecrated,
          and where he celebrated his holy mysteries,
       Queen, near whom Saint Louis kneeled
          to ask of you the happiness of France, 
          pray for us.
       Queen, to whom Roland consecrated his sword,
          pray for us.
       Queen whose banner wins the battles,
          pray for us.
       Queen whose hand delivered the captives,
          pray for us.
       
       Our Lady, whose pilgrimages are enriched
          with special favors,
       Our Lady, whom impiety and hatred
          have often sought to destroy,
       Our Lady, whom the masses visit
          as in olden times,
          pray for us.
       
       Lamb of God, who wipes out the sins of the world,
          forgive us.
       Lamb of God, who wipes out the sins of the world,
          grant our prayer.
       Lamb of God, who wipes out the sins of the world,
          have mercy on us.
       
       Our Lady, pray for us
          so that we may be worthy of Jesus Christ.
    	

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    6. Poulenc: Antiphon, Salve Regina

    Accompanying image:
    Orazio Gentileschi, Italian (1563 - 1639)
    The Virgin with the Sleeping Christ Child, c. 1610
    Oil on canvas, 99.8 cm x 85.3 cm
    Fogg Art Museum, 1976.10
    Text: attributed to Adhemar, bishop of Le Puy-en-Velay (d.609)
    Click here for a MIDI file of all the parts of the motet.
    
       Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae,
    
       Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve!
    
       Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae,
       
       ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,
       in hac lacrimarum valle.
    
       Eja ergo, Advocata nostra,
          illos tuos misericordes oculos 
          ad nos converte.
    
       Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
          nobis post hoc exilium ostende,
       
       O clemens, O pia, 
       O dulcis Virgo Maria.
    		
    
       Hail Queen, mother of mercy,
    
       our life, delight, and hope, hail!
    
       To you we call out, exiled children of Eve,
    
       to you we sigh, groaning and weeping
       in this valley of tears.
    
       Come then, our Advocate,
       turn your merciful eyes 
       toward us.
       
       And show us, after this exile,
       Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb,
       
       O merciful, o holy,
       o sweet Virgin Mary.
    	

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    7. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Kyrie

    Accompanying image:
    Sassoferrato (Giovanni Battista Salvi), Italian (Roman), active in 1605 - 1685
    Virgin and Child
    Oil on canvas mounted on masonite, 48.3 x 38.7 cm (19 x 15 1/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1991.693
    Click here for MIDI files of the individual choral parts to the mass movements.
    
        Kyrie eleison.
        Christe eleison.
        Kyrie eleison.
    	
    
        Lord, have mercy upon us.
        Christ, have mercy upon us.
        Lord, have mercy upon us.
    	

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    8. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Gloria

    Accompanying image for start of Gloria:
    Bernardo Daddi, Italian (Florentine), active about 1320 - 1348
    The Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds, c. 1336
    Tempera on panel, 38.1 x 18.4 cm (15 x 7 1/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1994.427
    Accompanying image starting at m27 "Domine Deus":
    John Singleton Copley, American, 1738 - 1815
    The Nativity, c. 1776
    Oil on canvas, 62.23 x 76.2 cm (24 1/2 x 30 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1972.981
    Accompanying image starting at m53 "Quoniam tu solus Sanctus":
    Giuliano da Rimini, Italian, active 1307, d. before 1346
    Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints, 1307
    Tempera and gold on wood, 179 x 320 cm
    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    
       Gloria in excelsis Deo.
       Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
    		
       Laudamus te.
       Benedicimus te.
       Adoramus te.
       Glorificamus te.
       
       Gratias agimus tibi 
          propter magnam gloriam tuam.
       
       Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, 
          Deus Pater omnipotens.
       Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.
       Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, 
          Filius Patris.
       
       Qui tollis peccata mundi, 
          miserere nobis.
       Qui tollis peccata mundi, 
          suscipe deprecationem nostram.
       Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, 
          miserere nobis.
       
       Quoniam tu solus Sanctus.
       Tu solus Dominus.
       Tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe,
       cum sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris,
       Amen.
    	
    		
       Glory to God in the highest.
       and on earth peace to all those of good will.
    		
       We praise you,
       We bless you,
       We adore you,
       We glorify you.
       
       We give thanks to You, 
          according to Your great glory.
       
       Lord God, king of heaven, 
          God the almighty Father.
       Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.
       Lord God, Lamb of God, 
          Son of the Father.
       
       You who remove the sins of the world, 
          have mercy on us.
       You who remove the sins of the world, 
          receive our prayer.
       You who sit at the right hand of the Father, 
          have mercy on us.
       
       Because you alone are holy.
       You alone are the Lord.
       You alone are the highest, Jesus Christ
       with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father,
       Amen.
    		

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    9. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Credo

    Accompanying image, with animation:
    Flemish, probably Brussels
    Tapestry: "The First Four Articles of the Creed" (from the series THE APOSTLES' CREED), c. 1475 - 1500
    Tapestry weave; wool warp, wool and silk wefts, 427.04 x 833.12 cm (168 1/8 x 328 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 08.441
    
       Credo in unum Deum,
       Patrem omnipotentem,
       factorem coeli et terrae,
       visibilium omnium, et invisibilium.
    
       Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum,
       Filium Dei unigenitum,
       et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula.
       Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine,
       Deum verum de Deo vero.
       Genitum, non factum, 
          consubstantialem Patri:
       per quem omnia facta sunt.
       Qui propter nos homines,
       et propter nostram salutem
       descendit de caelis.
       Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto
       ex Maria Virgine. Et homo factus est.
       Crucifixus etiam pro nobis 
          sub Pontio Pilato:
       passus, et sepultus est.
       Et resurrexit tertia die, 
          secundum Scripturas.
       Et ascendit in caelum: 
          sedet ad dexteram Patris.
       Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, 
       judicare vivos et mortuos:
       cujus regni non erit finis.
    
       Et in Spiritum Sanctum, 
          Dominum, et vivificantem:
       qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.
       Qui cum Patre, et Filio 
          simul adoratur et conglorificatur:
       qui locutus est per Prophetas.
       
       Et unam sanctam, catholicam 
          et apostolicam Ecclesiam.
       Confiteor unum baptisma 
          in remissionem peccatorum.
       Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum.
       Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.
    		
    
       I believe in one God,
       the Almighty Father,
       maker of heaven and earth,
       and all things visible and invisible.
    
       And (I believe) in one Lord Jesus Christ,
       the only-begotten Son of God,
       and born of the Father before all ages.
       God from God, Light from Light,
       True God from True God.
       Begotten, not made, 
          of one substance with the Father:
       by whom all things were made.
       Who, for us
       and for our salvation
       descended from the heavens.
       And was made flesh by the Holy Spirit
       from the Virgin Mary, and was made human.
       And was also crucified for us 
          under Pontius Pilate,
       he suffered, and was buried.
       And he rose again on the third day, 
          in accordance with scripture.
       and he ascended into heaven, 
          and sat at the right of the Father.
       And he will come again with glory,
       to judge the living and the dead,
       and his reign shall have no end.
       
       And (I believe) in the Holy Spirit, 
          Lord and giver of life,
       who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
       who with the Father and Son
          is worshipped and glorified together,
       who spoke through the Prophets.
       
       And (I believe) in one holy, catholic, 
          and apostolic Church.
       I acknowledge one baptism 
          for the forgiving of sins.
       And I await the rising again of the dead,
       and the life of the age to come.  Amen.
    		

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    10. Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907): Vesper hymn, Ave Maris Stella

    Accompanying image for beginning of motet:
    John Singer Sargent, American (1856 - 1925)
    Madonna of Sorrows, 1916
    Oil on canvas with wood and metal reliefs, 310 x 136 cm
    Boston Public Library, Sargent Hall, west wall
    Accompanying image for Tempo Primo "Vita praesta puram":
    John Singer Sargent, American (1856 - 1925)
    Handmaid of the Lord, 1916
    Oil on canvas with papier-mâché reliefs, 310 x 136 cm
    Boston Public Library, Sargent Hall, east wall
    Text: unknown author, first recorded in the 9th century.
    Click here for MIDI files of all of the parts the motet.
    When last I checked there were recordings of the Grieg at Berkshire Record Outlet.
    
       Ave, maris stella,
       Dei Mater alma,
       Atque semper Virgo,
       Felix caeli porta.
    
       Sumens illud Ave
       Gabrielis ore,
       Funda nos in pace,
       Mutans Evae nomen.
    
       Solve vincla reis,
       Profer lumen caecis,
       Mala nostra pelle,
       Bona cuncta posce
    
       Monstra te esse matrem,
       Sumat per te preces,
       Qui pro nobis natus
       Tulit esse tuus.
    
       Virgo singularis,
       Inter omnes mitis,
       Nos culpis solutos,
       Mites fac et castos.
    
       Vitam praesta puram,
       Iter para tutum,
       Ut videntes Jesum,
       Semper collaetemur.
    
       Sit laus Deo Patri,
       Summo Christo decus
       Spiritui Sancto,
       Tribus honor unus. 
       
       Amen. 
    		
    		
       Hail, star of the sea,
       nourishing mother of God,
       also always a virgin,
       fortunate gate of Heaven!
       
       Receiving that Ave
       from Gabriel's mouth,
       strengthen us in peace,
       reversing the name of "Eva."
       
       Release the chains of the accused,
       reveal the light to the blind,
       drive away our evils,
       ask for all goodness.
       
       Show that you are a mother,
       may he receive through your prayers,
       he who, born for us
       was brought forth as yours.
       
       O singular virgin,
       among all meek,
       releasing from our faults,
       make us meek and chaste.
       
       Our lives keep pure,
       our journey keep safe,
       so that, seeing Jesus,
       we may rejoice together forever.
       
       Let there be praise to God the Father,
       to the highest Christ, glory,
       and to the Holy Spirit,
       to the Three, one honor.
       
       Amen.
    		

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    11. Britten: from Sacred and Profane, Op. 91 (1974-1975):

    Click here for more information about Sacred and Profane.

    No. 1: St. Godric's Hymn

    Words: "Sainte Marie," attributed to Godric of Finchale (c.1065 - 1170), allegedly a prayer dictated to him by the Virgin Mary Herself.
       
       Sainte Marie Virgine,
       Moder Jesu Christes Nazarene,
       Onfo, schild, help thin Godrich,
       On fang, bring heyilich with thee in Godes riche.
       
       Sainte Marie, Christes bur,
       Maidenes clenhad, moderes flur,
       Dilie min sinne, rix in min mod,
       bring me to winne with the selfd God.
    		
       
       Saint Mary, Virgin,
       Mother of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,
       Receive, shield, help your Godric,
       When received, bring him solemnly with you into God's kingdom.
       
       Saint Mary, Christ's bower,
       maidens' purity, mothers' flower,
       destroy my sin, reign in my heart,
       bring me to bliss with the very same God.
    	

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    No. 5: Yif Ic of Luve Can

    Words: early 14th century.
       
       Whanne ic se on Rode
       Jesu, my lemman,
       And besiden him stonden
       Marye and Johan,
       And his rig iswongen,
       And his side istungen,
       For the luve of man;
       Well ou ic to wepen,
       And sinnes for to leten,
       Yif ic of luve can.
    		
       
       When I see on the Cross
       Jesus, my lover,
       and beside him stand
       Mary and John,
       and his back scourged,
       and his side pierced,
       for the love of man,
       well ought I to weep
       and sins to abandon,
       if I know of love.
    	

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    12. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Sanctus

    Accompanying image for Sanctus:
    Sassoferrato (Giovanni Battista Salvi), Italian (Roman), active in 1605 - 1685
    Virgin and Child
    Oil on canvas mounted on masonite, 48.3 x 38.7 cm (19 x 15 1/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1991.693
    Accompanying image for Benedictus:
    Domenico Ghirlandaio, Italian (Florentine), c. 1448 - 1494
    Virgin and Child, late 1480s - early 1490s
    Tempera on panel, 54.6 x 35.9 cm (21 1/2 x 14 1/8 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 46.1429
    
       Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
       Domine Deus Sabaoth,
       pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
       Osanna in excelsis!
    
       Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
       Osanna in excelsis!
      	
    		
       Holy, Holy, Holy,
       Lord God of Hosts,
       the heavens and earth are filled with your glory.
       Hosanna in the highest!
    
       Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
       Hosanna in the highest!	
    	

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    13. Victoria: Missa super Alma Redemptoris Mater: Agnus Dei

    Accompanying image:
    Michelangelo Buonarotti, Italian, 1475 - 1564
    Pietà, c. 1538-44
    Black chalk on paper, 28.9 x 18.9 cm
    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    
       Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 
          miserere nobis.
       Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 
          miserere nobis.
       Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 
          dona nobis pacem.
      	
    		
       Lamb of God, who removes the sins of the world, 
          have mercy on us.
       Lamb of God, who removes the sins of the world, 
          have mercy on us.
       Lamb of God, who removes the sins of the world, 
          grant us peace.
    	

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    14. John Tavener (1944 - ): A Hymn to the Mother of God

    Accompanying image:
    Giovanni di Paolo, Italian (Sienese), c. 1399 - died 1482
    Madonna of Humility (Virgin and Child), c. 1442
    Tempera on panel, 61.9 x 48.9 cm (24 3/8 x 19 1/4 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 30.772
    Text: from the Orthodox Christian Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
    Try Berkshire Record Outlet for recordings of the two Tavener hymns.
    		
       In You, O Woman full of Grace, 
          the angelic choirs, and the human race 
          all creation rejoices.
       O sanctified Temple, mystical Paradise, 
          and glory of virgins.
       In You, O Woman full of Grace, 
          all creation rejoices.
       All praise be to You.
    		
    		
    		

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    15. Tavener: Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God

    Accompanying image:
    Unidentified artist, Bohemian (Prague)
    Dormition of the Virgin, c. 1350-1360
    Tempera on panel, 100 x 71.1 cm (39 3/8 x 28 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 50.2716
    Text: Exapostilarion from the Orthodox Matins service at the Commemoration of the Falling Asleep (Dormition) of the Virgin, sung with Znameny chant tone 3.
    		
       O ye apostles, assembled here from the ends 
       of the earth, bury my body in Gethsemane: 
       and Thou my Son and God, receive my Spirit.
    		
    		
    		

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    16. Sergei Rachmaninov: from Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37:

    Click here for MIDI files for all of the movements, separated by voice parts.
    You can try Berkshire Record Outlet for recordings of the Rachmaninov Vespers.

     6. Bogoroditse Devo

    Accompanying image:
    Master of the Saints Cosmos and Damian Madonna, Italian (13th century)
    Virgin and Child, 1265 - 1285
    Tempera on panel, 64.14 cm x 44.45 cm x 1.27 cm
    Fogg Art Museum, 1926.41
    		
       Bogoroditse Devo, raduisya, 
       Blagodatnaya Mariye, Gospod s Toboyu.
       Blagoslovenna Ti v zhenakh, 
       i blagosloven plod chreva Tvoyego,
       yako Spasa rodila yesi dush nashikh.
    
    		
    		
       Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, 
       Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you,
       you are blessed among women,
       and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
       for you have borne the Savior of our souls.
    		

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    15. Vzbrannoy Voyevode

    Accompanying image:
    Paolo de Matteis, Italian, 1662 - 1728
    Assumption of the Virgin, 1707
    Oil on canvas, Framed: 130.2 x 104.1 cm (51 1/4 x 41 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 2004.2082
    		
       Vzbrannoy voyevode pobeditelnaya, 
       yako izbavlshesya ot zlikh,
       blagodarstvennaya vospisuyem Ti rabi Tvoi, 
       Bogoroditse:
       No yako imushchaya derzhavu nepobedimuyu, 
       ot fsiakikh nas bed svobodi, 
       da zovyem Ti:
      "Raduysia, Nevesto Nenevestnaya."
    		
    		
       To you, the victorious Leader of triumphant hosts, 
       we your servants, delivered from evil, 
       offer hymns of thanksgiving, 
       O Theotokos! 
       Since you do possess invincible might, 
       set us free from all calamities, 
       so that we may cry to you, 
      "Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!"
      		

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    Postlude to concert
    Rogier van der Weyden (c.1400-1464)
    St. Luke Drawing the Virgin, c.1435-1440.
    Oil and tempera on panel
    137.5 x 110.8 cm (54 1/8 x 43 5/8 in.)
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 93.153.


    For more information:

  • Tomás Luis de Victoria home page
    A comprehensive resource on the greatest Spanish composer of the Renaissance. The site includes a set of MIDI files of the Missa super Alma redemptoris Mater.
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    Dr. Jimbob's Home -> Classical Music -> Choral Music Introductions -> Spring 2006 Concert
    Images selected by Dennis Crowley.

    Last updated: March 12, 2006 by James C.S. Liu

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