Alma redemptoris mater [055]

Heinrich Isaac

Full title / Other titles

AR055 1.p. Alma redemptoris mater 4 vv ; [2.p.] Tu que genuisti 4 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Alma redemptoris mater

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

D-C1; A-C3; T-C3; B-F3. The paraphrased chant (App. 1) is carried primarily by the T frequently in long note values (duplex longae, longae and breves) but also appears in other voices at the beginning of major divisions (“alma,” “tu quae genuisti” and “virgo.”). Isaac has constructed a remarkably symmetrical structure: of the four principal sections of the antiphon, the 1.p. comprises “alma…” and “et stella…” (63 and 48 measures, respectively, in the ratio 4-3) whereas the 2.p. consists of “tu que…” and “virgo prius…” (45 and 64 measures, respectively, in the ratio 3-4).[1] To contrast with the previous material, Isaac sets “virgo” in a descending passage of first-inversion structures within an octave over five measures. Melismatic text setting prevails within a contrapuntal fabric with the exception of “sumens…” in homorhythmic and syllabic styles. The duet passages for “caeli,” “qui curat populo” and “sanctum” give relief to the surrounding four-voice texture. The textual segment “ab ore” in triple mensuration contrasts with surrounding material in duple mensuration. Final a (1.p.), F, b♭ signature (2.p.).

1. For additional insight regarding the structure of the setting, see Martin Just, “Henricus Isaacs Motetten in italienischen Quellen,” Analecta Musicologica, No. 1 (1963), 15-17.
[2] Tu que genuisti

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

Associated people

Heinrich Isaac - 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

[CMM 65-X]

Isaac, H., 2011, Heinrich Isaac Opera omnia, Lerner E. R. (éd.).
(n° 2)

[DEDM 72-73]

Kindermann, J., 2017, Annaberger Chorbuch I : Sächsische Landesbibliothek Mus. 1-D-505 (Ms. 1248).

[Just, 1963]

Just, M., 1963, Heinrich Isaacs Motetten in Italienischen Quellen.
(pp. 1-19)

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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Alma redemptoris mater [055], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1219/] (accessed 21 January 2026).

Last modification: Nov. 12, 2025