Alma redemptoris mater [093]

Teodore Riccio

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AR093 Alma redemptoris mater (Alme patris fili Jesu) 5 vv ; Virgo peperitte 5 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Alma redemptoris mater (Alme patris fili Jesu)

Polyphonic ensemble SATTB

C-G2; A-C2; T-C3; T II-C3; B-F3. High clefs. Entire range, A-g’’.
Chant (App. 1) introduces textual phrases (e.g., “quae pervia coeli,” mm. 25-8; “et stella maris,” mm. 31-9; and “peccatorum miserere,” mm. 1-6-20) as well as individual words (e.g., “alma,” mm. 1-12) wherein plainsong permeates the imitative polyphonic texture. Developmental procedures in this well-crafted antiphon result in a work of considerable size (125 mm.). Additionally, plainsong associated with original text accompanies substitute texts: “redemptoris” = “patris fili Jesu”; “Tu quae” = “Virgo peperitte” and “tuum” = “Deus.” Initial pitches of quotations are usually cast as semibreves with subsequent pitches embracing surrounding rhythmic gestures. A combination of syllabic and melismatic styles defines the text setting; melismas concurrent with “alma” and “ab ore” complement the plainsong version. Final F, b♭ signature.

Alme patris fili Jesu, qui pervia coeli porta manens, et stella maris succurre cadenti surgere qui curas populum.

Loving Jesus, son of the father, who remains the accessible gate of heaven and star of the sea, help the fallen people who look to rise.

Virgo peperit te, natura mirante, Deum sanctum genitorem, virgo prius sic posterius Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud ave, peccatorum miserere.

A virgin bore you, God, Holy Creator, while nature marveled, a virgin before and after, receiving that “hail” from the mouth of Gabriel, have mercy on sinners.
[2] Virgo peperitte

Polyphonic ensemble SATTB

Description

Alma redemptoris mater appears as the title with the antiphon but the index lists Alme patris fili Jesu. Riccio, the Italian maestro di cappella to Georg Friedrich of Brandenburg-Ansbach, dedicated his Secundus liber sacrarum cantionum (R 1289) to Duke Ludwig of Württemberg, a steadfast Lutheran prince. To accommodate Marianology to Lutheran theological practice, Lutheran adaptations were adopted relative to specific textual passages in Alma redemptoris mater. In reality, the appropriate text could be used for respective Catholic or Lutheran services. For information regarding the family ties between Georg Friedrich and Duke Ludwig, see Christian Thomas Leitmeir, “Teodoro Riccio’s Liber primus missarum (2579): a musical ambassador between Prussia and Poland, in Pawel Gancarczyk and Agnieszka Leszcznska, 2012, pp.123-54).

Associated people

Teodore Riccio - 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

No information.

References

[Gancarczyk et Leszczyńska, 2012]

Gancarczyk, P. et Leszczyńska, A. (éd.), 2012, The Musical Heritage of the Jagiellonian Era, Warszawa.
(pp. 123-54)

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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Alma redemptoris mater [093], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1257/] (accessed 07 March 2026).

Last modification: Nov. 13, 2025