Renaissance Motet Texts

Discussions relating to performance, interpretation, score preparation, musica ficta etc.
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DJ Fatuus
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Joined: 25 Nov 2009 00:51

Renaissance Motet Texts

Post by DJ Fatuus »

Hello, firsly I am eternally grateful to this site and it's contributors <3

Secondly, I'm trying to write a Renaissance style motet and I was hoping to gather together a collection of possible texts to set. I have a Latin Bible (paying special interest to the Psalms) but I was wondering what further sources were commonly used for motet texts in this period. Specifically, I can't find the source for Tallis's "Salvator mundi, salva nos".

Well I would be grateful for any suggestions. If not, I'm sure the Psalms will be enough to work from.

Thanks again for the amazing site!
vaarky
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Re: Renaissance Motet Texts

Post by vaarky »

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/tw.asp?w=W11404 indicates this source for similar text, in case that's a useful starting point:

Salvator mundi, salva nos
Composer of music
John Blow (1649-1708)
Christ Church Library, Mus.MS14
Author of text
Anonymous - liturgical
Antiphon in the Office of the Visitation of the Sick, Book of Common Prayer

http://www.musicweb-international.com/c ... cl2101.htm references Tallis using the Book of Common Prayer and provides more info about the version that superseded the first version of the Book.

Happy hunting!
DaveF
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Location: Abergavenny, Gwent, UK

Re: Renaissance Motet Texts

Post by DaveF »

I find the Hyperion note very puzzling - clearly a Latin text can't come directly from the BCP. Tallis's text is an antiphon at Matins for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14th). To attempt an answer to the original question, the most common texts for polyphonic Renaissance settings were the Mass (Ordinary and Propers), the Magnificat and other Marian antiphons; particular texts from the Daily Office, usually the antiphon to the Magnificat at Vespers and some Matins antiphons; and hymns.

DF
DJ Fatuus
Posts: 2
Joined: 25 Nov 2009 00:51

Re: Renaissance Motet Texts

Post by DJ Fatuus »

Thanks both! Very helpful. I never expected a publisher's website to have useful info on it. Although it does seem to be a bit hit and miss.

Anyway, at least I now know where I should be looking. Thanks!

EDIT: And this has the source of lots of Tallis' work http://www.scribd.com/doc/15970199/Thom ... lete-Works (just incase anyone googles this).
Jaquick
Posts: 12
Joined: 05 Dec 2009 20:51

Re: Renaissance Motet Texts

Post by Jaquick »

THE place to look for Latin motet texts is the Liber Usualis, which is now conveniently available for download at http://www.musicasacra.com/. Why? You will have created a possible liturgical use for your motet, which will increase performance opportunities.

As for Latin texts and the Book of Common Prayer, don't forget the Liber Precum Publicarum of 1560 (the Latin version of the BCP).
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