Y CHOIR IS CURRENTLY learning a five-voice piece with homophonic chords. To complement that, I wanted something with major emphasis on counterpoint, and Rev’d Cristóbal de Morales is magnificent in that department. The text is profoundly powerful, and the English translation doesn’t quite capture the Latin; but no translation could. Something that got lost is the juxtaposition of “ante saecla” with “nunc.” In other words, at Holy Mass we are now adoring the same Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity—Who was begotten before the ages in the heart of the Father. What a great mystery! Moreover, the author seemed particularly moved by the relationship between Mary and Jesus.
I have attempted to record all three voices to help choirs learn:
* * PDF • “Salve Virgo Singularis” (Morales)
REHEARSAL VIDEOS :
First Translation of the Refrain:
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Second Translation of the Refrain:
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The English translation of “Ave Maris Stella” is by Fr. Fortescue (d. 1923), and it’s excellent. I especially like his fifth verse.
By the way, ladies who enjoy singing low would sound nice added to the Tertius line, along with tenors who know how to sing with a “light” sound.
