Salve regina [378]

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SR378 Vita dulcedo 4 vv ; [2.p.] Ad te suspiramus 4 vv ; [3.p.] Et Jesum 4 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Vita dulcedo

Polyphonic ensemble SSTB

[C I]-C1; [C II]-C1; [T]-C4; [B]-F4. Two C voices in 2.p. (C I, C II, A, T). Alternatim setting.[1] Motivic development within an imitative, polyphonic texture is the principal characteristic of each pars. “Salve/vita” motto (App. 4) introduces pars 1 (A, mm. 1-3 & C, mm. 3-5) cast as breves and semibreves; T & B include “vita” motto in mm. 6-14. A countersubject (d, B♭, c, e♭, d) to the “vita” motto assumes equal importance to the motto; the “vita” motto and the countersubject are presented on initial pitches d or a. The countersubject also accommodates the concluding text (“et spes nostra salve”) of the verset including the “salve” motto, usually in semibreves (mm. 18-37). Motives associated with “ad te suspiramus,” “gementes et flentes” and “in hac lacrimarum valle” constitute the principal material of 2.p.; a descending stepwise motive in minums expresses the “valley of tears.” Pars 3 consists of three distinct sections, each associated with a textual segment of verse 6,[2] respectively, “Et Jesum,” “benedictum” and “fructum ventris tui,” with specific musical characteristics. Paired imitation (C/A & T/B) in section 1 reprises the first three pitches of the “salve/vita” motto both in the principal motive (C & T, semibreves and breves) and the initial pitches of the countersubject (A & T). An ascending stepwise motive in minums within an imitative texture creates a series of parallel 6ths and 10ths (mm. 85-92) in section 2. The concluding section in triple mensuration and homorhythmic style comprises an eight-measure phrase followed by a varied statement and short extension (mm. 93-111); a free use of canon defines the texture of this section. Final d, b♭ signature.

1. The absence of a fourth pars is problematic; perhaps the last three verses were intended to be executed in plainsong.

2. Like most alternatim settings by Spanish composers the concluding text of verse 6, “nobis post hoc exsilium ostende,” remains in plainsong.
[2] Ad te suspiramus

Polyphonic ensemble SSTB

[3] Et Jesum

Polyphonic ensemble SSTB

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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

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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/2327/

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Salve regina [378], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/2327/] (accessed 24 January 2026).

Last modification: Dec. 4, 2025