La nuict froide et sombre (Orlando di Lasso)

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Music files

• CPDL #12258: Capella source Capella xml source.
  

Editor: Mark Wenzel (added 2006-08-06).   Score information: A4, 30 pages, 3 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Set in A minor (no signs). Starting with f '. Based on CPDL #1903. Note values halved.

• CPDL #12257: .
  

Editor: Vincent Carpentier (added 2000-12-13).   Score information: A4, 40 kbytes, 3 pages    Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Set in A minor (no signs). Starting with f '. Based on CPDL #1903. Also available on the Werner Icking Music Archive.

• CPDL #1903: MUP.
  

Editor: Vincent Carpentier (added 2000-12-13).   Score information: A4, 40 kbytes, 3 pages    Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: in B minor (2 sharps). Starting with g '. Written with Music Publisher (MUP).

General Information

Title: La nuict froide et sombre
Composer: Orlando di Lasso

Number of voices: 4vv  Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Chansons

Language: French
Instruments: a cappella.
Published:

Description: The text is an ode by Joachim du Bellay (1522-1560), first published in 1549. Lassus has written very expressive music, following closely the meaning of the words.

External websites: analysis with MP3-fragments at the website of the Academy of Dijon only in Fench

Original text and translations

French text

La nuict froide et sombre,
Couvrant d'obscure ombre
La terre et les cieux,
Aussi doux que miel,
Fait couler du ciel
Le sommeil aux yeux.

Puis le jour luisant,
Au labeur duisant,
Sa lueur expose,
Et d'un tein divers,
Ce grand univers
Tapisse et compose.

English translation

The night, cold and dark,
Covering with obscure shadow
Earth and skies,
As sweet as Honey
Pours from the sky
The sleep into the eyes.

Then, the gleaming day
Leading to labour,
Its light spreads.
And with diverse tint
Drapes and composes
This Great Universe.

(modifications welcome)

Dutch translation
literal translation - letterlijke vertaling
De nacht, koud en somber
bedekkend met duistere schaduw
de aarde en de hemel...,
net zo zoet als honing
laat zij stromen uit de hemel
de slaap in de ogen.

Dan de dag, daaropvolgend,
bij de aangename arbeid
stelt zijn licht ten toon...,
en met heel verscheiden tint
bekleedt zij dit grote universum
en voegt het samen.

translation by Dick Wursten (2005)

German translation

Die Nacht, kalt und dunkel,
Bedeckt mit undurchdringlichen Schatten,
Die Erde und den Himmel.
So sanft wie Honig
Lässt sie den Schlaf
In die Augen fließen.

Doch am nächsten Tag,
Zur harten Arbeit,
Breitet sie ihren Glanz aus.
Und bedeckt und gestaltet
Mit schillernden Farben
Dieses Große Universum.