Alma redemptoris mater [081]

Asprilio Pacelli

Full title / Other titles

AR081 Alma redemptoris mater 8 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

Alma redemptoris mater

Polyphonic ensemble SSAATTBB

Two equal choirs. C-C1; A-C3; T-C4; B-F4. Initial pitches of chant (Chr. I, C & A) introduce a paraphrased “Alma” (Chr. I, T, mm. 3-10) that supports the three-voice texture. On the other hand, plainsong, primarily in semibreves (Chr. II, C, mm. 9-14) emphasizes “redemptoris mater.” Plainsong also introduces “Virgo prius” pitched on b♭’ (Chr. I, C) followed by an antiphonal response on f’ (Chr. II, C). Textual phrases are distinguished through chant quotations, contrast of texture, rhythmic gestures, mensuration, and antiphonal techniques. Antiphonal responses of textual phrases (e.g., “quae per via caeli,” mm. 14-20) or specific words (“Gabrielis,” mm. 72-8) usually include rhythmic gestures and/or melodic motives. Triple mensuration defines two sections of Pacelli’s Alma redemptoris mater (“surgure qui curat populo,” mm. 33-8, and “tuum sanctum genitorem,” mm. 50-61) that display homophonic/homorhythmic texture and antiphony. Full-voice (8 voices) sections are relegated to the conclusions of the first, third and fourth textual phrases (“porta manens,” mm. 22-5; “tuum sanctum genitorem,” mm. 58-62); and “peccatorum miserere,” mm. 91-102) as well as “Gabrielis,” the messenger (mm. 76-8). “Sumens illud Ave” ushers in a contemplative character manifested by slow harmonic rhythm (breve), homophony and harmonic language (d, A, D, G, C). Choirs are harmonically independent. Melismatic text setting defines the introductory “Alma” (C, A, T, mm. 1-9); syllabic style characterizes the remainder of the antiphon. Final F, b♭ signature. Final, b♭ signature.

Associated people

Asprilio Pacelli - Composer

Creation place and date

No information.

Associated sources

Sung texts

Copied!

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

[Sutkowski et Osostowicz-Sutkowska, 1965, vol. 5]

Sutkowski, A. et Osostowicz-Sutkowska, A., 1965, The Pelplin tablature, Warsaw.
(n° 537)

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

Share

Permalink
Copied!

https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1245/

Citation
Copied!

Alma redemptoris mater [081], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1245/] (accessed 23 January 2026).

Last modification: Nov. 13, 2025