Recordare, Domine, testamenti tui (Pierre de Manchicourt)

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(Posted 2021-10-30) CPDL #66459:

Editor: Simon Biazeck (submitted 2021-10-30). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 269 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a fourth for A.T.T.T.B.

(Posted 2021-10-30) CPDL #66457:

Editor: Simon Biazeck (submitted 2021-10-30). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 272 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a tone for S.A.A.T.B.

(Posted 2021-10-30) CPDL #66456:

Editor: Simon Biazeck (submitted 2021-10-30). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 269 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original pitch for S.A.A.T.B. The editor duly acknowledges that Andrew Fysh alerted him to this fine motet. Andrew’s tireless work in bringing Manchicourt’s work back to life in superbly engraved and edited modern editions is much in evidence here. His excellent first ever modern edition of this work was initially posted below. It makes a case for the so-called “rule of closest approach” not being de rigueur in the music of this period and style. In weaving his counterpoint around a cantus firmus in the Quinta pars (which must surely be sung with B-flats at its upper limit), Manchicourt seems to be saying that major 6th to octave cadences are not always mandatory.

(Posted 2021-10-30) CPDL #66441:

Editor: Andrew Fysh (submitted 2021-10-30). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 427 kB Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Transposed down one tone (for SAATB), otherwise identical to CPDL #66440 below.

(Posted 2021-10-29) CPDL #66440:

Editor: Andrew Fysh (submitted 2021-10-29). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 422 kB Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: At original notated pitch (for SAATB). Original note values retained. Transcribed and edited from the 1557 reprint of Susato's fourteenth volume of motets.

General Information

Title: Recordare, Domine, testamenti tui (2.p. Quiescat, Domine, ira tua)
Composer: Pierre de Manchicourt
Number of voices: 5vv Voicings: SAATB or ATTTB
Genre: Sacred, Motet, Introit from Mass for the Deliverance from Death in Time of Pestilence

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1553 in Susato, Liber XIIII ecclesiasticarum cantionum quinque vocum [Antwerp], no. 5
Description: Manchicourt's setting juxtaposes a Phrygian cantus firmus and Dorian polyphony, giving rise to many simultaneous false relations (a regular feature of music of this period that many modern editors have sought to expunge through dogmatic mis-application of so-called 'rules' of counterpoint).

Original text and translations

Latin text

Recordáre, Dómine, testaménti tui,
et dic ángelo percutiénti:
Cesset iam manus tua,
    Ut non desolétur terra,
    et ne perdas omnem ánimam vivam.

Quiéscat, Dómine, ira tua a pópulo tuo,
et a civitáte sancta tua:
    Ut non desolétur terra,
    et ne perdas omnem ánimam vivam.

Cantus firmus: Parce peccátis nostris.

English translation

Remember, O Lord, thy covenant,
and say unto the destroying angel:
Stay now thine hand;
    That the land be not utterly laid waste,
    and lest thou destroy every living soul.

Let thine anger rest from thy people, O Lord,
and from thy Holy City:
    That the land be not utterly laid waste,
    and lest thou destroy every living soul.

Have mercy upon our sins.