Alma redemptoris mater [082]

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Full title / Other titles

AR082 Alma redemptoris mater 4 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

Alma redemptoris mater

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

C-C1; A-C3; T-C4; B-F4. Entire range, E-g’’. No evidence of chant. Textual phrases are differentiated through texture, mensuration and well-defined cadences creating a sectional structure. The phrase “succurre cadenti” is depicted through repetition and imitation of a motive with a descending interval of a third that concludes with stepwise descent in B from g to E (mm. 12-7). “Peccatorum miserere,” the final textual phrase includes a repeated stepwise motive (c’, b, a, g as semibreves) in T that serves as a cantus firmus coupled with contrapuntal motive (B, mm. 42-5) restated an octave higher in A (mm. 45-8). Triple mensuration defines text “virgo” prius…salve” contrasting with surrounding material in duple mensuration; homophonic/homorhythmic texture defines the first textual segment, “virgo…posterius,” whereas an imitative texture accompanies “Gabrielis…salve.” Following a cadence on E, the subsequent harmonic progressions, B, D, B, E, accompany the textual phrase, “tuum sanctum genitorem.” Final e.

1. Although credited to Palestrina, this antiphon does not share characteristics
with other Alma redemptoris mater settings by the composer. Of the thirteen Marian antiphons assuredly attributed to Palestrina, all include chant quotations in varying degrees and one has a contrasting section in triple mensuration (AC099). In AR082 a vertical structure and varied harmonic palette differ from the prevailing Palestrina style. MGG II cites the work as a questionable attribution; NG II includes the motet as a work by Palestrina. See Notes for AC099, RC161, and SR191 antiphons also included in VienNB Mus. 16709 but most likely dubiously attributed to Palestrina.

Description

Although credited to Palestrina, this antiphon does not share characteristics with other Alma redemptoris mater settings by the composer.  Of the thirteen Marian antiphons assuredly attributed to Palestrina, all include chant quotations in varying degrees and one has a contrasting section in triple mensuration (AC099).  In AR082 a vertical structure and varied harmonic palette differ from the prevailing Palestrina style.  MGG II cites the work as a questionable attribution; NG II includes the motet as a work by Palestrina.  See Notes for AC099, RC161, and SR191 antiphons also included in A-Wn Mus.Hs.16709-GF but most likely dubiously attributed to Palestrina.

Associated people

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Composer

Creation place and date

No information.

Associated sources

Sung texts

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Alma redemptoris mater, quae pervia caeli porta manes
Et stella maris, succurre cadenti surgere qui curat populo:
Tu quae genuisti, natura mirante, tuum sanctum genitorem:
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud, Ave, peccatorum miserere.

Bibliography

Modern editions

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References

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Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1246/

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Alma redemptoris mater [082], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1246/] (accessed 07 March 2026).

Last modification: Jan. 19, 2026