Salve regina [125]

Heinrich Isaac

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SR125 Salve regina 4 vv ; [2.p.] Eia ergo 4 vv ; [3.p.] Et Jesum 4 vv ; [4.p.] O clemens 4 vv ; [5.p.] O dulcis Maria 4 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Salve regina

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

D-C1; A-C4; T-C4; B-F4. “Salve” intonation must be inserted. Chant,[1] assigned as a cantus firmus (T) in continuous breves in each pars, casts occasional influence on other voices with brief introductory motives (e.g., “misericordes” and “et spes”); although pars 1 and the conclusion of pars 5, “O dulcis Maria,” are in triple mensuration, the cantus firmus is in duple mensuration throughout the antiphon. Ubiquitous compositional techniques associated with Isaac such as ostinati, repeated rhythmic motives and use of consecutive tenths in outer voices suggest a minimalistic effect. A passage (mm. 9-13) associated with “vita dulcedo” either as consecutive (D) or separated (A, B) two-and three-note motives (D: d, c, d; A: d, e, d; B: A, B♭, A) are likely modeled on “vita” motive (a, b(♭), a). The D and B of 4.p. (“O clemens, O pia”), constructed of ostinati, surround a repeated cantus firmus. The A of 2.p. is entirely composed of a single rhythmic/melodic turning motive (minum, four semiminums, minum or semibreve) that spans the interval of a fourth and is stated 21 times on pitches d, e, g, a, b, c’, d’ in no specific order. Parallel tenths between D and B define 5.p., “O dulcis Maria,” (mm. 125-34). The words “mater” of verse 1 and “virgo” of verse 9 are omitted. Final d (1.p., 3.p., 5.p.), g (2.p.), a (4.p.).

1. Isaac’s cantus firmus differs from the 16th-century Franciscan antiphonaries (App. 4) particularly regarding the “vita” motive and the first eight pitches of verse 6, “Et Jesum.”
[2] Eia ergo

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

[3] Et Jesum

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

[4] O clemens

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

[5] O dulcis Maria

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

Associated people

Heinrich Isaac - Composer

Creation place and date

No information.

Associated sources

Sung texts

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Salve, regina, mater misericordiae;

Vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.

Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.

Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens,

O pia,

O dulcis virgo Maria.

Bibliography

Modern editions

[CMM 65-XI]

Isaac, H., 2011, Heinrich Isaac Opera omnia, Lerner E. R. (éd.).
(n° 38)

[Erbe deutscher Musik 76-78]

Just, M. (éd.), 1991, Der Kodex Berlin 40021 : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz Berlin, Mus. ms. 40021, Kassel.
(n° 79)

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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Salve regina [125], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/2074/] (accessed 23 January 2026).

Last modification: Dec. 2, 2025