Praeter rerum seriem (Josquin des Prez)

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• CPDL #6371: Finale 2000

Editor: Sabine Cassola (submitted 2004-01-05).   Score information: A4, 9 pages, 228 kbytes   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• CPDL #1470: Scorch Sibelius 3

Editor: Philip Legge (submitted 2000-10-12).   Score information: A4, 7 pages, 132 kbytes   Copyright: © 2000, 2001 Philip Legge

Edition notes: transposed a tone higher than original written pitch. Revised 3 November 2001.

General Information

Title: Præter rerum seriem
Composer: Josquin des Prez

Number of voices: 6vv  Voicing: ATTTBB, SAATBB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: a cappella
Description: Motet in two parts, based on the Latin hymn of the same title.

Prima pars: Præter rerum seriem

Secunda pars: Virtus sancti spiritus

Text and translations

Latin text

Præter rerum seriem
parit deum hominem
virgo mater.
Nec vir tangit virginem
nec prolis originem
novit pater.

Virtus sancti spiritus
opus illud cœlitus
operatur.
Initus et exitus
partus tui penitus
quis scrutatur?

Dei providentia
quæ disponit omnia
tam suave.
Tua puerperia
transfer in mysteria,
mater ave.

English translation
by Mick Swithinbank

This is no normal scheme of things:
God and man is born of a virgin mother.
She has known no man;
the child's origin is unknown to the father.

By the Holy Spirit's power
this heavenly work has been brought about.
The beginning and end of your giving birth
who can really know?

By God's grace, which orders all things so smoothly,
your childbearing confronts us with a mystery.
Hail, Mother.

German translation
by Euphrosyne

Entgegen den Lauf der Dinges:
Gebärt Gott als Menschen die Jungfrau Maria.
Weder berührte ein Mann sie;
Noch kennt des Geschlechts Ursprung der Vater.

Durch des heiligen Geistes Tugend
Wurde dies himmlische Werk vollbracht.
Anfang und Ende deiner Niederkunft ganz
Wer durchschaut es?

Gottes Voraussicht, die alles sacht ordnet,
Trage deine Niederkunft ins Mysterische.
Sei gesegnet, Mutter.