Ave regina caelorum [139]

Gaspar van Weerbeke

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AC139 Ave regina caelorum 4 vv ; [2.p.] Salve gloriosa 4 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Ave regina caelorum

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

S-C1; A-C4; T-C4; B-F4. In MilD 1, this setting, the fifth part of motet cycle Ave mundi domina, replaces the Sanctus in the Mass. No evidence of chant. Clarity of structure results from textural and melodic similarities and contrasts. Common to most phrases is the use of imitation at the unison or octave between two voices. To complement the first two textual phrases Weerbeke restates the imitative duo at the unison for “ave…caelorum” (A and B) in the S and T (now at the octave) for “ave…angelorum” with contrasting material in A and B. Subsequent duos (“salve…sancta,” “ex…mundo,” “salve” and “vale”) involve imitation at the lower octave. The final phrase “et pro…exora” for all voices includes imitation at the lower octave between S and T. The Pre-Tridentine text is set in declamatory style with occasional melismas; “salve” replaces “gaude.” Final g, b♭ signature.
[2] Salve gloriosa

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

Associated people

Gaspar van Weerbeke - Composer

Creation place and date

No information.

Associated sources

Sung texts

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Ave, regina caelorum,
Ave, domina angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude, virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

***

Pre-Tridentine version:

Ave regina coelorum,
Ave, domina angelorum,
Salve radix sancta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa:
Vale, valde decora,
Et pro nobis semper Christum exora.
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

***

Tridentine version:

Ave regina coelorum
Ave, domina angelorum,
Salve radix, salve porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa:
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

Bibliography

Modern editions

[1987]

1987, Milan, Archivio della Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, Sezione Musicale, Librone 3 (olim 2267), New York & London.
(ff. 130v-131)

[CMM 106 - III]

Weerbeke, G. van, 1998, Gaspar van Weerbeke, Collected Works, Lindmayr-Brandl A. (éd.).
(n° 5)

[Weerbeke, 1963, vol. 11]

Weerbeke, G. van, 1963, Messe e mottetti, Tintori G. (éd.), Milan.
(pp. 28-30)

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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Ave regina caelorum [139], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1455/] (accessed 20 January 2026).

Last modification: Dec. 12, 2025