Alma Dei creatoris, KV 272a (KV 277) (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

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  • (Posted 2015-12-12)  CPDL #37830:  Icon_pdf.gif Icon_snd.gif Sibelius.png (Sibelius 4)
Editor: Brian Marble (submitted 2015-12-12).   Score information: Letter, 11 pages, 223 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: organ acc. SATB score: Icon_pdf.gif 6 pages, 122 kB.
Editor: David King (submitted 2002-12-03).   Score information: A4, 14 pages, 632 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Full score. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
Error.gif Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.
Editor: David King (submitted 2002-12-03).   Score information: A4, 10 pages, 160 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Orchestra separate parts. Finale files are zipped into one ZIP file.
Editor: David King (submitted 2002-12-03).   Score information: A4, 14 pages, 592 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Vocal-keyboard score.
Error.gif Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

General Information

Title: Alma Dei creatoris, KV 272a (KV 277)
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: SacredMotet

Language: Latin
Instruments: 2 violins, cello, basso continuo

Published:

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Latin.png Latin text

Alma Dei creatoris
Sedet rei peccatoris
Mater clementissima.

Tu fac, clemens, quod rogamus,
Fortes ad certamina.

English.png English translation

The caring mother of God the Creator
sits as the very merciful mother
of a guilty sinner.

May you, merciful one, bring to pass what we pray for
who are strong for the struggle.

Translation by Paul Pascal
Notes

There seems to be no source or model for this text in Scripture. "Sedet" appears to be used as in "sits <in judgment>" (cf. Dies Irae: "Iudex ergo cum sedebit"). The point of the last words is not clear; other interpretations may apply (but alternative interpretations considered seemed equally awkward).

The metrical pattern is highly unusual. The first stanza is in the standard pattern of a Gregorian hymn (for example, the "Stabat Mater Dolorosa"): two trochaic lines that rhyme, followed by a third line that lacks the final unstressed syllable. The second stanza should be identical in form. But it is truncated; what should be a second rhyming line is omitted. This is unprecedented and appears unique.