Salve regina [085]

Robert Fayrfax

Full title / Other titles

SR085 Salve regina 3-5 vv ; Et Jesum 5 vv ; Virgo mater 3 vv ; Esto nobis 3 vv ; O clemens 5 vv ; Virgo clemens 2 vv ; Exaudi preces 2 vv ; O pia 5 vv ; Funde preces 3 vv ; Et pro nobis 3 vv ; O dulcis Maria, salve 5 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Salve regina

Polyphonic ensemble SATBX

Tb-G2; M-C2; Ct-C4; T-C4; B-F4. Entire range, F-f’’. No evidence of chant. A retrograde of the “salve” motto in long-note values in the T may simply be fortuitous. Brief imitative passages introduce textual phrases (e.g., “benedictum fructum”) but primarily verses of the trope, Virgo mater,[1] all within a florid contrapuntal fabric. The words “Et Jesum” are set apart by three chords each capped with a corona. A reduction of voices concurrent with contrasting mensuration characterizes the trope verses (three voices for “Virgo mater” and “Funde preces” and two voices for “Virgo clemens”); the first trope stanza in duple mensuration contrasts with triple mensuration that defines verses 1-6 of Salve regina. Triple mensuration returns with the third stanza, “Funde preces” and continues to the conclusion of the antiphon. The penultimate syllables of each section sustain melismas in each voice consisting of as few as two measures for “converte” (verse 5) to seventeen measures for “ostende” (verse 6). The word” virgo” is omitted in verse 9. Final g, b♭ signature.

1. Virgo mater ecclesiae, / Virgin mother of the church
aeterna porta gloriae, / eternal gate to glory,
esto nobis refugium / be a refuge for us
apud Patrem et Filium. / before the Father and the Son,

O clemens! / O gentle one;

Virgo clemens, virgo pia, / Gentle virgin, virgin holy,
virgo dulcis, O Maria, / O sweet virgin Mary,
exaudi preces omnium / hear the prayers of all
ad te pie clamantium. / Who make their dutiful cry to you,

O pia! / O loving one;

Funde preces tuo nato / Pour out your prayers to your Son,
crucifixo, vulnerato, / crucified, wounded,
et pro nobis flagellato / and scourged for our sake,
spinis puncto, felle potato, / pierced with thorns, given gall to drink.

O dulcis Maria, salve. / O sweet Mary, hail!
[2] Et Jesum

Polyphonic ensemble SATBX

[3] Virgo mater

Polyphonic ensemble

[4] Esto nobis

Polyphonic ensemble

[5] O clemens

Polyphonic ensemble SATBX

[6] Virgo clemens

Polyphonic ensemble

[7] Exaudi preces

Polyphonic ensemble

[8] O pia

Polyphonic ensemble SATBX

[9] Funde preces

Polyphonic ensemble

[10] Et pro nobis

Polyphonic ensemble

[11] O dulcis Maria, salve

Polyphonic ensemble SATBX

Description

External link:
CPDL 62140 [Choral Public Domain Library]

Associated people

Robert Fayrfax - 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 17]

Fayrfax, R., 1964, Robert Fayrfax, Collected Works, Warren E. B. (éd.).
(pp. 26-35)

[The Eton choirbook 11]

Harrison, F. L. (éd.), 1956, The Eton choirbook, London.
(pp. 32-8)

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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Salve regina [085], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/2034/] (accessed 20 January 2026).

Last modification: Dec. 1, 2025