Illibata Dei Virgo nutrix (Josquin des Prez)

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• CPDL #20539: 

Editor: Sabine Cassola (submitted 2009-11-26).   Score information: A4, 10 pages, 172 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: score available in Finale 2004

• CPDL #13199: 

Letter size:    

A4 size:  

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2006-12-05).   Score information: Letter and A4, 9 pages, 133 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Musica ficta clearly indicated.

Updated:  2009-11-29. Errors have been corrected. Thanks to Mick Swithinbank

General information

Title: Illibata Dei Virgo nutrix
Composer: Josquin des Prez

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: STTTB

Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

Published:

Description: Motet in two parts:

Prima pars: Illibata Dei Virgo nutrix

Secunda pars: Ave virginem

One of the tenor parts is a cantus firmus on the syllables La mi la (whose vowels are the same as those in Maria - such a process is known as Solmization), while the other two (labelled Contratenor Primus and Contatenor Secundus in the score) are part of the contrapuntal, almost canonic musical texture. Also interesting is that the poetic text of the Prima pars (presumably by Josquin himself) forms a downward acrostic of his name (Iosqvin des Prez):

Illibata Dei virgo nutrix

Olympi tu regis o genitrix

Sola parens verbi puerpera

Que fuisti Eve reparatrix

Viri nephas tuta mediatrix

Illud clara luce dat scriptura

Nata nati alma genitura

Des ut leta musorum factura

Prevaleat ymis et sit ave

Roborando sonos ut gluttura

Effligitent laude teque pura

Zelotica arte clament Ave

External website(s):

• [1] "Au{t}obiographical Constructions in Josquin's Motet Illibata Dei virgo nutrix: Evidence for a Later Dating" by Leslie Clutterham

Original text and translations

Latin text Illibata Dei virgo nutrix Olympi tu regis o genitrix Sola parens verbi puerpera Quae fuisti Evae reparatrix Viri nephas tuta mediatrix Illud clara luce dat scriptura Nata nati alma genitura Des ut laeta musarum factura Prevaleat hymnus et sit ave Roborando sonos ut guttura Efflagitent laude teque pura Zelotica arte clament Ave. Ave virginum decus hominum Coelique porta Ave lilium, flos humilium Virgo decora. Vale ergo tota pulchra ut luna Electa ut sol, clarissima gaude. Salve tu sola cum sola amica, Consola "la mi la" canentes in tua laude. Ave Maria, mater virtutum, Veniae vena, ave Maria, Gratia plena, Dominus tecum, Ave Maria, mater virtutum. Amen.

English translation Part One: Virgin nurse of God, undefiled, you, mother of the king of Olympus, sole parent of the Word, you repaired the damage done by Eve, you intercede for the wicked; this is what the scriptures clearly tell us. Daughter of your own son, bountiful in birth, grant that the muses may make people's throats joyful by strengthening the sound they make, so that they may strike up a stirring hymn, crying hail to you with the pure zeal of art. Part Two: Hail virgin, jewel of mankind and heaven's gate, hail lily, flower of humility, graceful maiden, hail, then, beauteous as the moon, chosen one, bright as the sun, rejoice. Hail, only consoling friend, as we sing la-mi-la (A-E-A) in your praise. Hail Mary, mother of virtues, to whom pardoning is second nature, hail Mary, full of grace, may the Lord be with you. Hail Mary, mother of virtues. Amen. Approximate English translation by Mick Swithinbank (I had difficulty making sense of the last section of Part One.)