O crux splendidior (Nicolas Gombert)

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• (Posted 2024-01-19)  CPDL #78807:       

Editor: Bert Schreuder (submitted 2024-01-19).   Score information: A4, 17 pages, 293 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Note values halved, original pitch. Some remarks about the Dorian mode (E or E♭), dissonance and text underlay at the end of the pdf. Transcribed from Motetti del frutto a sei voci (Venice, 1539) and Quartus tomus evangeliorum (Nuremberg, 1555).

General Information

Title: O crux splendidior
Composer: Nicolas Gombert
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: SAATBarB
Genre: Sacred, Antiphon

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1539 in Motetti del frutto a sei voci (Gardano), no. 7
    2nd published: 1555 in Evangelia dominicorum et festorum dierum tomus quartus (Berg & Neuber), no. 14
Description: 

External websites:

• Facsimile of Motetti del frutto a sei voci
• Facsimile of Quartus tomus evangeliorum

Original text and translations

Latin text

O Crux, splendidior cunctis astris, mundo celebris,
hominibus multum amabilis, sanctior universis;
que sola digna fuisti portare salutem mundi.
O crux gloriosa, o crux adoranda,
o lignum pretiosum, et admirabile signum,
per quod et diabolus est vinctus
et mundus Christi sanguine redemptus.

English text

O Cross, more splendid than all the stars, honoured throughout the world,
most worthy of the love of mankind, more holy than all the universe,
that you alone were worthy to bear the salvation of the world.
O glorious cross, o beloved cross,
precious wood and miraculous sign,
through which Satan was defeated,
and with the blood of Christ the world was redeemed.