O Virgo prudentissima (Robert Wylkynson)

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• (Posted 2022-09-02)  CPDL #70656:  Edition withdrawn per editor's request

Editor: Dr Russell Blacker (submitted 2022-09-02).   Score information: A4, 8 pages, 445 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: You have permission to copy, print, and perform this work so long as the attribution (Russell Blacker) and the copyright permission (Stainer & Bell) is retained. You do not have permission to alter the reconstructed parts (in red).

General Information

Title: O Virgo Prudentissima
Composer: Robert Wylkynson
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: TrMCtTTB
Genre: Sacred, Antiphon

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 2022
Description: This piece from the Eton Choirbook is incomplete lacking, as it does, the Mean, first Tenor, and Bass parts which are here reconstructed (here in red). The second half of the piece is also missing. Wylkynson probably employed two cantus firmi as the one that survives (identified by Catherine Hocking as 'Angelus Autem') has been transposed up a 4th. After much searching I found that the chant 'Nesciens Mater' (here in Tenor 1) fits the harmonic constraints - and the theme of the work. The text is unusual being a poem by the Italian humanist Poliziano; it is possible that it was commissioned by King Henry VII for a visit - to Windsor in 1497 - by two Italian ambassadors - Raimondo da Soncino and Andrea Trevisano.

Original text and translations

Latin text

O Virgo prudentissima,
quam caelo missus Gabriel
supremi regis nuntius
plenam testatur gratia.

Cuius devota humilitas
Gemmis ornate fulgidis
Fidentis conscientiae
Amore deum rapuit.

Te sponsam factor omnium,
Te matrem Dei Filius,
Te vocat habitaculum
Suum beatus Spiritus.

Per te de tetro carcere
Antiqui patres exeunt;
Per te nobis astriferae
Panduntur aulae limina…