Descendit angelus Domini (Jacob Handl)

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Prima pars (Descendit angelus)

(Posted 2025-10-01) CPDL #86934:

Editor: Drew Sellis (submitted 2025-10-01). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 87 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Note values halved, written pitch retained.

Secunda pars (Hic praecursor dilectus)

(Posted 2025-10-01) CPDL #86936:

Editor: Drew Sellis (submitted 2025-10-01). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 84 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Descendit angelus Domini
Composer: Jacob Handl
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1590 in Opus musicum (Jacob Handl), Volume 4, no. 88
Description: Motet for the Nativity of John the Baptist.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at Descendit angelus.

Latin text

Descendit angelus Domini ad Zachariam, dicens:
Accipe puerum in senectute tua,
et habebit nomen eius Ioannes Baptista,
qui viam Domino praeparavit in haeremo.

Hic praecursor dilectus, et lucerna lucens ante Dominum:
ipse est enim Ioannes,
qui viam Domino praeparavit in haeremo.

English translation

The angel of the Lord came down to Zechariah, saying:
Receive a child in your old age,
and his name will be John the Baptist,
who prepared the way for the Lord in the wilderness.

This is the beloved forerunner, and a shining lamp before the Lord:
for he is John,
who prepared the way for the Lord in the wilderness.