Josquin des Pres (c. 1440-1521) Missa Mater Patris
Josquin pioneered the technique of pervasive imitation, by which the entire schola repeats one melody in different times in other voices.In this prayer, the opening section declaims the four phrases of text - 'Ave Maria', in order. Clear and unobstructed imitation of each phrase (as if in a litany) occurs dramatically from the highest voice to the lowest; the imitated melody resembles a Gregorian chant version. Though the phrases of this section are completely balanced in length, the counterpoint increases in density, producing a strong climax at the first juncture where all four voices sing together. The lyrics to Josquin's Ave Maria comprises one of the most touching hymns to Our Lady.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee, gentle Virgin.
Hail, thou whose Conception,
Full of solemn joy,
Fills heaven and earth
With new gladness.
Hail, thou whose Nativity
Became our great celebration,
As the light-bringing rising light
Coming before the true sun.
Hail, blessed humility,
Fertility without man,
Whose Annunciation
Was our salvation.
Hail, true virginity,
Immaculate chastity,
Whose Purification
Was our cleansing.
Hail, glorious one
In all angelic virtures,
Whose Assumption
Was our glorification.
O Mother of God,
Remember me.
Amen.
Curious to know your thoughts on women singing in a schola for Mass... Would you ever blog about it? I am a musician and have been schooled in the ancient Latin Mass music. I've heard arguments from both sides.
ReplyDeleteHi Krista,
ReplyDeleteMy opinion, for what it's worth, is that women scholas are great and men scholas are great. Women mixed with men, however . . . not as great. Although this piece shows both men and women, I find these hymns much more inspiring when they are done by all men or all women scholas
Thanks for your thoughts. It is an interesting idea and one that historically was the norm - i.e. the convents and monasteries that had their choirs for Mass - and of course the men's and boy's choirs at the parish churches. I'm not sure how to think about mixed choirs - I've only ever sung in them - obviously - and it CAN work, but I must admit, I do think that single-sex choirs are a better blend and sound. It would limit the music somewhat for female-only choirs, as the lower parts could not be sung, so it would either have to be a different arrangement for such choirs or not sung. Either way, it makes for interesting discussion - especially for the "modern parish choir/schola".
ReplyDeleteI would still prefer a mixed choir over off key hymns sung to the piano of "we walk by faith" or "the spirt is a-movin" - the piece here by Josquin is moving regardless who is doing the singing. There seems to be a unique quality to scholas when they are either all women or all men. A mixed schola of men and women shouldn't deter anybody from singing sacred polyphony or Gregorian chant.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I completely agree - a mixed schola is BY FAR PREFERABLE to the
ReplyDelete"campfire crooning" that is done in so many parishes today. There is also the "limited number" of people that are truly trained or that can read music well enough to be able to sing the polyphonic music of the masters like Byrd, Palestrina, etc. Gregorian chant is much more accessible to the "average singer" and it should be highly encouraged, I think! And for those that say Latin is too difficult to learn or they can't understand any of it - let them hear my 8yr old who memorizes Latin chant and hymns/prayers in order to sing them!
I'm sure you are already aware of the following statements from recent popes have spoken laudably about polyphony and Gregorian chant. They conclude that these forms, contrary to being divisive, are unifying traditions that are unique to the identity of Roman Catholicism and, according to these popes should be utilized for these very reasons:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102135.htm
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=41618
http://www.adoremus.org/JPIIsacredmusic.html
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20010119_musica-sacra_en.html
Thank you for your links - yes, I was aware of these facts and also the organ as the primary musical instrument (NOT guitars). My husband is the organist and music director at our parish (he is educated as an organist and holds a Master's of Sacred Music degree) and it is always a "battle" to have much of anything that is ancient or Latin. People don't like it, they say they can't understand it, it's "old fashioned", etc. Almost all they know is the "campfire music" of the 70's & 80's that STILL permeate our liturgies. Funeral and wedding music is also very "campfire" and eulogies are of the utmost in embellishment, making the deceased already a saint - they speak of such things. The stories my husband brings home sometimes would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up on end! It's such a SAD state of affairs presently in the Mass. I have yet to attend a TLM and the closest ones are 2 hours away in all directions. I have yet to experience that beautiful Mass of the Angels and hear the Latin chant permeate it throughout...! I have yet to kneel at a communion rail and the couple of parishes I HAVE seen the rail still entact, they don't use it! They just "file up"...
ReplyDeleteI await the day when I can experience the TLM in person - for now, I only have the internet to experience it. What a shame to lose all this glorious sacred music from our Church's past!
Krista,
ReplyDeleteInvest the time to attend a high mass sometime. It is worth the drive. You can do it a couple of times a year and make a mini-vacation out of it. It's a wonderful way to spend time away from home.
Regarding the criticism that the latin music is old, my reply usually is, 'well so is the bible, shall we discard that as well?'
LOL - yes, the Bible is "old", too! Maybe THAT would make them stop and think, but then they would say, "Yeah, but it's been translated into the vernacular and so should the music!" I can just hear it...
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be able to attend a Latin Mass away some day - hopefully my health will return more so that I can travel that distance - car journeys are tough for me presently, so I am hoping a closer Mass will come some day!
I wanted to pass this on to you and your family, even though we've just celebrated Michaelmas Day yesterday. You all might still enjoy looking it over and learning it (and for the future, too!). My husband played it on Sunday for two of our Masses with choir and cantor during Communion (since the feast fell on a Sunday this year it could not take precedence). http://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/uploads/FileUpload/bc/cf9cbf1b20123833b9d470ce21b686.pdf
ReplyDelete