Johannes Ockeghem
(c.1420-1497)
Missa L'homme armé;
Ave Maria; Alma Redemptoris Mater
Josquin Desprez
(c.1460-1521)
Memor esto verbi tui
There are three factors that have affected the choice of music recorded
here. First, the recording was made a few days before the 500th anniversary of
Ockeghem's death (the composer died on 6th February 1497). Secondly, this
release forms part of the Oxford Camerata's series of Renaissance masses based
on the fifteenth-century Burgundian song L'homme armé (Naxos: Dufay
8.553087, Obrecht 8.553210, Josquin 8.553428). Thirdly, Josquin's extraordinary
motet Memor esto servi tui is the model on which a previously recorded
anonymous setting of the Nunc dimittis was based (Naxos: Renaissance
Masterpieces 8.550843).
The Ave Maria, which opens this recording (like the Missa
L'homme armé), survives in a source copied for a Burgundian nobleman very
shortly after Ockeghem's death. Having said that, the Ave Maria was
added to this sumptuous manuscript (the so-called Chigi Codex) almost two
decades after its original assembly. Although only a short work, Ockeghem's Ave
Maria is noteworthy for a number of reasons: it makes no reference to any
pre-existent material; it demonstrates beautifully the composer's fluid
approach to harmonic rhythm; and it ends with a short 'Amen' low in the
tessitura which culminates in a minor chord. By contrast, Ockeghem's setting of
the other Marian text on this recording – Alma Redemptoris Mater – is an
airier work that uses the Alma Redemptoris plainchant as its model
(heard on this recording immediately before Ockeghem's motet). If Ockeghem's Ave
Maria is a reverential genuflection to the Virgin, then the Alma
Redemptoris is an ecstatic serenade.
Ockeghem's Missa L'homme armé is a largely austere work, possibly
as a response to the foursquare and belligerent nature of the song on which it
is based. It is difficult to say with certainty exactly how Ockeghem responded
to the text of the mass because the sources are far from clear in this regard.
However, the soaring cantus firmus at the words tu solus altissimus (you
alone are the highest) in the Gloria, or the athletic setting of the
word vivificantem (giver of life) in the Credo can surely be no
accident. Similarly, the strength of the elliptical modulation at the end of
the Credo and the glorious musical arch that forms the opening section
of the Sanctus show a composer whose dramatic involvement with the text
of the Mass was frequently at a premium. In order to make some reference to the
shape of the liturgy, on this recording a plainchant Offertory, its text
from Psalm 34 (Psalm 33 in the Vulgate), has been inserted at the central point
of the Mass to mark the progression from the Ministry of the Word to the
Consecration. The Missa L'homme armé ends with a sublimely dark-textured
Agnus Dei, a stylistic innovation that Ockeghem frequently used to great
effect, nowhere more poignantly than at the end of this remarkable work.
However much or little the succeeding generation learnt from Ockeghem,
the innovations of Josquin set a standard for the high Renaissance. Memor
esto verbi tui shows a fascination for melodic imitation and textural
contrast, and exhibits a deliberately structural use of resonant four-voice
writing. Memor esto verbi tui is a setting of sixteen verses from Psalm
119 (Psalm 118 in the Vulgate); it dates from the first decade of the sixteenth
century and its genesis is an interesting one. According to the early
sixteenth-century musical theorist Heinrich Glarean: "Louis XII, the
French king, had promised Josquin a benefice. When the promise remained
unfulfilled (as is wont to happen at the courts of kings), Josquin composed the
motet Memor esto verbi tui with such majesty and elegance that, when it
was brought to the song school and examined with strict justice, it was admired
by everyone. The king, filled with shame, did not dare to defer any longer, and
immediately discharged the favour which he had promised." This account is
born out by the fact that the motet survives in fourteen sources and was
evidently widely known during Josquin's lifetime, although much of the motet's
fame was probably due to Josquin's nerve in setting the words Memor esto
verbi tui servo tuo (Remember your word to your sevant) in such an
obviously urgent manner both at the beginning and end of the motet. Memor
esto verbi tui is a model of early Renaissance balance and (along with
Haydn's 'Farewell' Symphony) is one of the greatest musical invoices of
all time.
J. C. Summerly 1997
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[1]
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Ave Maria
Ave Maria, gratia
plena,
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in
mulieribus,
et benedictus
fructus ventris tui:
Jesus Christus.
Amen.
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Hail Mary, full of
grace,
the Lord is with
you,
Blessed are you
among women,
and blessed is the
fruit of your womb:
Jesus Christ, Amen.
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[2],[3]
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Alma Redemptoris
Mater
Alma Redemptoris
Mater
quae pervia caeli
porta manes.
Et stella maris,
succurre cadenti,
surgere qui curat
populo.
Tu quae genuisti,
natura mirante,
tuum sanctum
Genitorem.
Virgo prius ac
posterius
Gahrielis ab ore
sumens illud,
Ave, peccatorum
Miserere.
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Gracious Mother of
the Redeemer
who stands at the
gates of heaven.
Star of the sea, aid
to the falling,
those who struggle
to rise.
You who gave birth,
by a wonder of nature,
to your holy
Creator.
Eternal virgin, who
received
from Gabriel's lips
that greeting,
Hail, have mercy on
our sins.
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[4]
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L'homme armé
L'homme armé
doibt on doubter.
On a fait partout
crier
que chascun se
viegue armer
d'un haubregon de
fer.
L'homme armé
doibt on doubter.
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The armed man must be feared.
It has been decreed everywhere
that everyone should arm himself
with a sleeveless coat of mail.
The armed man must be feared
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[5]
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Kyrie
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
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Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
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[6]
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Gloria
Gloria in excelsisDeo,
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 caelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens,
Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe;
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
miserere nobis;
qui tollis
peeeata 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.
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Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to those of goodwill.
We praise you; we bless you;
we worship you; we glorify you;
we give thanks to you
for your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King,
God the Father almighty,
O Lord the only Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
You take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the
sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you sit at the right
hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For 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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[7]
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Credo
Credo in unum
Deum,
Patrem
omnipotentem,
factorem caeli 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
coelis.
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 vemurus
est cum gloria
judicare vivos et
mortuos,
cuius 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
Eccelsiam.
Confiteor unum
baptisma
in remissionem
peccatorum,
et exspecto
resurrectionem mortuorum
et vitam venturi
saeculi. Amen.
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I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
in all things visible and invisible;
and in one Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of God,
and born of the Father eternally.
God of God, light of light,
true God of true God;
begotten not made,
of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
he who for mankind
and for our salvation
descended from heaven.
And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit
of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
He was crucified even for us
under Pontius Pilate;
he died and was buried.
And he rose again on the third day
according to the scriptures;
and ascended into heaven,
seated at the right hand of the Father;
and again he will come with glory
to judge the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son
is likewise
worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken
through the prophets.
And I believe in one
holy catholic
and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one
baptism
for the remission of
sins,
and I look for the
resurrection of the dead
and the life of the
world to come. Amen.
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[8]
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Immittet Angelus Domini
Immittet Angelus Domini
in circuitu timentium eum,
et eripiet eos:
Gustate et videte
quoniam suavis est Dominus.
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The Angel of the Lord encamps
round those who fear him,
and rescues them:
O taste and see
how gracious the Lord is.
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[9]
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Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus
Sanctus sanctus, sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoth;
pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domini.
Osanna in excelsis.
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Holy, holy, holy
Lord God of Sabaoth;
heaven and earth are full of 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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[10]
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Agnus Dei
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.
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Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world;
grant us peace.
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[11]
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Memor esto verbi tui
Memor esto verbi
tui servo tuo,
in quo mihi spem
dedisti.
Haec me consolata
est in humilitate mea,
quia eloquiam
tuum vivificavit me.
Superbi inique
agebant usquequaque,
a lege autem tua
non declinavi.
Memor fui
judiciorum tuorum
a saeculo Domine,
et consolatus sum.
Defectio tenuit
me, pro peccatoribus
derelinquentibus
legem tuam.
Cantabiles mihi
erant justificationes tuae,
in loco
peregrinationis meae.
Memor fui nocte
nominis tui Domine,
et custodivi
legem tuam.
Haec facta est
mihi,
Quia
justificationes tuas exquisivi,
Portio mea
Domine,
dixi custodire
legem tuam.
Deprecatus sum
faciem tuam
in toto
corde’meo,
miserere mei
secundum eloquium tuum.
Cogitavi vias
meas,
et converti pedes
meos in testimonia tua.
Paratus sum et
non sum turbatus,
ut custodiam
mandata tua.
Funes peccatorum
circumplexi sunt me,
et legem tuam non
sum oblitus.
Media nocte
surgebam
ad confitendum
tibi,
super judicia
justificationis tuae.
Particeps ego sum
omnium timentium te,
et custodientium
mandata tua.
Misericordia tua
Domine plena est terra,
justificationes
tuas doce me.
Gloria Patri et
Filio
et Spiritui
Sancto.
Memor esto verbi
tui servo tuo,
in quo mihi spem
dedisti.
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Remember your word
to your servant
on which I have
built my hope.
This has been my
comfort in my affliction,
for your word has
brought me to life.
Though the proud
have scorned me,
I have not turned
from your law.
I call to mind your
judgements
of old, Lord, and I
am consoled.
Indignation
overcomes me, because of
the sinners who have
forsaken your law.
Your statutes have
become my songs
in the house of my
pilgrimage.
I call to mind your
name in the night, Lord,
and I observe your
law.
This has been my
reward,
because I have kept
your precepts.
The Lord is my
portion,
I have promised to
keep your law.
I have sought your
favour
with my whole heart,
have mercy on me
according to your word.
I have taken stock
of my ways
and have turned my
feet to your testimonies.
I made haste and did
not delay
in order to keep
your commandments.
The snares of the
wicked encompassed me
but I did not forget
your law.
In the middle of the
night I rise up
in order to give
thanks to you
for the
righteousness of your judgements.
I am a companion to
all who fear you
and to those who
keep your precepts.
Lord, the world is
full of your mercy,
teach me your
statutes.
Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy
Spirit.
Remember your word
to your servant
on which I have
built my hope.
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