Conditor alme siderum

Conditor alme siderum

Conditor alme siderum is an anonymous text from the 7th century used at Vespers during Advent. In Pope Urban VIII's revision of the hymns of the Roman Breviary in 1632, the Advent hymns were greatly altered and this hymn was no exception. Only one line of the original remained and thus the revised hymn, titled Creator alme siderum, is really a separate hymn in and of itself. The original text of the hymn has since been restored to the liturgy and is the one given here.

Musical settings at CPDL

In Latin, unless otherwise specified.

• Anonymous c.1400 ATB
• Melvin Clive Bird SAB
• Jeremiah Clarke SATB (English)
• Guillaume Dufay SAA or TBB
• Costanzo Festa ATTB (v. 2 only)
• Charles H. Giffen SATB (Latin and English)
• Orlando di Lasso STBarBarB
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina SATB
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina SAATTB - with alternative Verse 6
• Pietro Pontio SATB or ATTB
• Michael Praetorius:
  • Conditor alme siderum SATB (v. 1 only)
  • Vergente mundi vespere TT (v. 3 only)
• Ludwig Senfl SSSAT
• Johann Stadlmayr SATB (vv. 1,2,4 & 6 alt. only)
• Thomas Stoltzer SATB (v. 1 only)
• Tomás Luis de Victoria SATB

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Thomas Eisenhut — Conditor alme siderum
• Jan Le Febure — Conditor alme siderum
• Gregorian chant — Creator of the starry height
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — Conditor alme siderum (impares)
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — Conditor alme siderum (pares)
• Thomas Pöpel — Qui condolens interitu

Text and translations

Latin text 1  Conditor alme siderum aetérna lux credéntium Christe redémptor ómnium exáudi preces[voces] súpplicum 2  Qui cóndolens intéritu mortis perire saeculum salvásti mundum languidum donans reis remedium. 3  Vergénte mundi véspere uti sponsus de thálamo egréssus honestissima Virginis matris cláusula. 4  Cuius forti poténtiae genu curvántur ómnia caeléstia, terréstia nutu faténtur súbdita. 5  Te, Sancte fide quáesumus, venture judex sáeculi, consérva nos in témpore hostis a telo perfidi. 6  Sit, Christe rex piissime tibi Patríque glória cum Spíritu Paráclito in sempitérna sáecula. Amen. … from Liturgia Horarum, 7th cent. Alternative last verse 6  Virtus, honor, laus, gloria Deo Patri cum Filio, Sancto simul Paraclito, in saeculorum saecula.

English translation 1  Creator of the stars of night, Thy people's everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, and hear Thy servants when they call. 2  Thou, grieving that the ancient curse should doom to death a universe, hast found the medicine, full of grace, to save and heal a ruined race. 3  Thou camest, the Bridegroom of the bride, as drew the world to evening tide, proceeding from a virgin shrine, the spotless Victim all divine. 4  At whose dread Name, majestic now, all knees must bend, all hearts must bow; and things celestial Thee shall own, and things terrestrial Lord alone. 5  O Thou whose coming is with dread, to judge and doom the quick and dead, preserve us, while we dwell below, from every insult of the foe. 6  To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One, laud, honour, might, and glory be from age to age eternally. Amen. Translation by John Mason Neale

English translation 1  Creator of the stars of night, Thy people's everlasting light, O Christ, thou savior of us all, We pray thee, hear us when we call. 2  To thee the travail deep was known That made the whole creation groan Til thou, Redeemer, shouldest free Thine own in glorious liberty. 3  When the old world drew on toward night, Thou camest, not in splendor bright As monarch, but the humble child Of Mary, blameless mother mild. 4  At thy great name, O Jesu, now All knees must bend, all hearts must bow; And things celestial thee shall own, And things terrestrial, Lord alone. 5  Come in thy holy might, we pray; Redeem us for eternal day From every power of darkness, when Thou judgest all the sons of men. 6  To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Laud, honor, might, and glory be From age to age eternally. Amen. Translation by St Ann choir

English translation 1  O generous creator of the stars, everlasting light of believers, O Christ, redeemer of us all, hear now our prayers. 2  Though you suffer the decay of death, the perishing of all, you have saved the suffering world, bringing us your healing balm. 3  As the world turned to evening, like a bridegroom from his chamber you came forth from the most pure cloister of the Virgin mother. 4  Before your mighty power all creatures kneel down - in heaven and on earth, all accept your command. 5  So we pray, O holy judge of all the world to come, that you will keep us safe when we face the armed enemy. 6  Praise, honour, might and glory be to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Comforter, for all eternity. Amen. Translation by Mick Swithinbank

English translation 1  Gracious author of the stars, Eternal Light of those believing, O Christ, Redeemer of all Hear the prayers of thy suppliants. 2  O Thou, who suffering severely by the destruction of death to perish for a time, Thou hast saved the languishing world, giving remedy to the accused. 3  With the evening of the world coming to an end As a bridegroom from the marriage chamber having come forth from the most honourable chamber of the Virgin Mother. 4  To whose strong power All men bend the knee; and beings heavenly and earthly, Even those subdued, confess by a nod 5  We entreat Thee, O Holy One, Judge of the age to come, Save us in that time from the dart of the perfidious enemy. 6  Praise, honor, power, and glory be To God the Father, and the Son, And likewise to the Holy Spirit Unto ages of ages. Amen. Translation by J. Morehouse

Italian translation 1  Benigno Creatore degli astri, eterna luce dei credenti, Cristo, redentore di tutti, esaudisci le preghiere di chi ti supplica. 2  Tu compatendo il mondo che andava in rovina nella morte, salvasti l'umanità ammalata, donando una cura ai peccatori. 3  Mentre scendeva la sera del mondo, come uno sposo dal letto nuziale, uscisti dal castissimo grembo della Vergine Madre. 4  Alla tua forte potenza ogni ginocchio si piega; sia in cielo sia in terra, sottomesso alla tua volontà. 5  A Te preghiamo, o Santo, che verrai come giudice del mondo: conservaci nel tempo dalla lancia del perfido nemico. 6  Sia lode, onore, virtù e gloria a Dio Padre e al Figlio, Insieme allo Spirito Consolatore per i secoli eterni. Amen.

Dutch translation

1. Gij, milde schepper van het sterrenleger,
Zelf eeuwig licht van wie gelooft,
Christus, verlosser van het heelal,
Verhoor ons, smekend in gebed.

2. In Uw ermarmen met het lot
der schepping, tot de dood gedoemd,
redt Gij de zieke wereld
en schenkt aan de schuldigen een medicijn.

3. Toen de avond der tijden viel, tradt Gij,
als een buidegom uit de bruidskamer,
uit de zuiverreine kluis
der allereerbiedwaardigste moedermaagd.

4. Alles wat bestaat buigt
de knieën voor Uw kracht;
de hemel en de aarde, alles
erkent zich onderworpen aan Uw werken.

5. U bidden wij, hoogheilige,
die eens als wereldrechter komt:
bewaar ons in de tijd
tegen de pijlen van de verdorven vijand.

6. Lof, eer, kracht en heerlijkheid
Zij God, de Vader en de Zoon,
en ook de Heilige Geest
in alle eeuwen der eeuwen. Amen.
 

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