Praeter rerum seriem

Notes on selected settings

• Gregorian chant
• Sethus Calvisius SAATBB (parody of Josquin, with protestantized text)
• Melchior Franck SSAATTBB (with German interpolations)
• Heinrich Isaac SAA (slight variations)
• Josquin des Prez SAATBB or ATTTBB
• Praeter rerum seriem (Vicente Lusitano SSAAATBB (based on Josquin)
• Adrian Willaert SAAATTB or ATTTTBarB

Settings by composers (automatically updated)

• Sethus Calvisius — Praeter rerum seriem  Latin SAATBB
• Melchior Franck — Praeter rerum seriem a 8  Latin SSAATTBB
• Gregorian chant — Praeter rerum seriem  Latin Unison
• Heinrich Isaac — Praeter rerum seriem  Latin SSA
• Josquin des Prez — Praeter rerum seriem  Latin ATTTBB,SAATBB
• Vicente Lusitano — Praeter rerum seriem  Latin SSAAATBB
• Adrian Willaert — Praeter rerum seriem  Latin SAAATTB

Text and translations

Latin and German text Praeter rerum seriem Ach, du herzliebes Jesulein parit deum hominem mach dir ein rein sanftes Bettelein zu ruhen in meins Herzen Schrein daß ich nimmer vergesse dein. virgo mater. Nec vir tangit virginem nec prolis originem novit pater. Virtus sancti spiritus opus illud coelitus operatur. Initus et exitus partus tui penitus quis scrutatur? Dei providentia quae disponit omnia tam suave. Tua puerperia transfer in mysteria. Mater ave. German translation Entgegen den Lauf der Dinge Gebärt Gott als Menschen die jungfräuliche Mutter. Weder berührte ein Mann sie, Noch kennt des Geschlechts Ursprung der Vater. Durch des heiligen Geistes Tugend Wurde dies himmlische Werk vollbracht. Anfang und Ende deiner Niederkunft ganz Wer durchschaut es? Gottes Voraussicht, die alles so sacht ordnet, Trage deine Niederkunft ins Mysterische. Gesegnet seist du, Mutter. Translation by Euphrosyne

English translation This is no normal scheme of things: Oh dear little Jesus God and man is born Make yourself a clean soft bed to rest in my heart's shrine So that I never forget you. of a virgin mother. She has known no man; the child's origin is unknown to the father. By the Holy Spirit's power this heavenly work has been brought about. The beginning and end of your giving birth who can really know? By God's grace, which orders all things so smoothly, your childbearing confronts us with a mystery. Hail, Mother. Translation by Mick Swithinbank