Stabat Mater (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)

Stabat Mater is a Motet for Double Chorus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, in the Late Renaissance Period at the end of the 16th Century. It is centered around the 20 verses of text that constitute the hymn of the same name.

History

The text predates Palestrina's composition, dating as far back as the 13th century. Its author is unclear, and is possibly St. Bonaventure, Pope Innocent III, or more likely a Franciscan friar by the name of Jacopone da Todi. The liturgical text is centered upon Mary's suffering at the crucifixion of Christ. However, it possesses both a regular meter – frequently trochaic – and an intricate rhyme scheme, both of which are qualities that most academics date back to the 12th century. Palestrina's Stabat Mater appears to have been written for Pope Gregory XIV, whose reign as Pope was from 1590 until his death in 1591 suggests that the work may have been composed during this time – this would be within the final years of Palestrina's own life. Since then, the work was initially guarded closely by the choir for which it was written, and the first part was performed annually on Palm Sunday at a slower pace. In Rome in 1770, the English historian Dr. Burney was able to obtain a copy of the work, and from this sprung the first printed edition in 1771 in London, in "La Musica che si canta annualmente nelle Funzioni della Settimana Santa nella Capella Pontificia". Since then the composition has been reprinted repeatedly, including an edition by the German composer Richard Wagner in 1877.

Structure

Sta-bat Mater is a Motet for unaccompanied Double Chorus, and consists of 20 sections in accordance with the 20 verses of text. It is scored for Double Chorus, each consisting of a Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass. It is a typical Italian work, composed in the Late Renaissance. However, it contains rare example of anticipation, relatively early for its time, and also contains many suspensions. Its texture is thick, and is more homophonic than contrapuntal in style. The work is structured in such a way that the two choruses alternate, usually per line of verse. At other times within the work there are moments of full chorus, where both groups sing together, and also times when there solo voices within the different choirs. It contains changes in tempi: beginning as Adagio ma non troppo, it slows to Largo at the beginning of the 9th verse. At the start of verse 11 it returns to the first tempo, but this time un poco animato. The tempo winds down to Piu Lento at the beginning of verse 20, before slowing down to Largo for the final 9 bars. The work debatably begins on the dominant of D Dorian or on the tonic A Mixolydian with an unexpected progression of four major chords, another unusual marking of this motet. This composition arguably concludes in D Major with a cadence that spans three bars.

Text

Stabat Mater dolorósa Juxta crucem lacrimósa, Dum pendébat Filius. Cujus ánimam geméntem, Con tristatám, et doléntem, Pertransivit gladius. O quam tristis et afflicta Fuitilla illa benedicta Mater Unigéniti! Quae mœrébat, et dolébat Et tremebat, cum vidébat Nati pœnas inclyti. Quis est homo quinon fleret, Christi Matrem si viderét In tanto supplicio? Quis non posset contrista Piam Matem contemplári Dolénteme cum Filio? Pro peccátis suæ gentis Vidit Jesum in torméntis, Et flagéllis súbditum. Vidit suum dulcem natum Moriéntem desolátum, Dum emisit spiritum. Eia, Mater, fons amóris, Me sentire vim dolóris Fac, Ut tecum lúgeam. Fac ut áredeat cor meum In amándo Christum Deum, Ut sibi compláceam. Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo válide. Tui nat vulneráti, Tam dignáti pro me pati, Pœnas mecum divide Fac me tecum pie flere, Crucifixo condolere Donec ego vixero, Juxta crucem tecum stare Et me tibi sociáre In plantus desidero. Virgo virginum præciára, Mihi jam non sis amára, Fac me tecum plángere. Fac ut portem Christi mortem, Passiónis fac consórtem, Et plagas recólere. Fac me plagis vulnerári, Cruce fac unebriári, Et cruór Filii. Imflammatus et accénsus, Perte Virgo sim defénsus In die judicii. Fac me crure custodiri, Da per Matrem me vire Confoveri gratia Quando corpus moriétur Fac ut ánimæ donétur Paradisi Glória.

At the cross her station keeping, Mary stood in sorrow weeping When her Son was crucified. While she waited in her anguish, Seeing Christ in torment languish, Bitter sorrow pierced her heart. With what pain and desolation, With what noble resignation, Mary watched her dying Son. Ever-patient in her yearning Through her tear-filled eyes were burning Mary gazed upon her Son. Who, that sorrow contemplating, On that passion meditating, Would not share the Virgin's grief? Christ she saw, for our salvation, Scourged with cruel acclamation, Bruised and beaten by the rod. Christ she saw with life-blood failing, All her anguish unavailing, Saw him breathe his very last. Mary, fount of love's devotion, Let me share with true emotion All the sorrow you endured. Virgin, ever interceding, Hear me in my fervent pleading: Fire me with your love of Christ. Mother, may this prayer be granted: That Christ's love may be implanted In the depths of my poor soul At the cross, your sorrow sharing, All your grief and torment bearing, Let me stand and mourn with you. Fairest maid of all creation, Queen of hope and consolation, Let me feel your grief sublime. Virgin, in your love befriend me, At the Judgement Day defend me. Help me by your constant prayer. Saviour, when my life shall leave me, Through your mother's prayers receive me With the fruits of victory. Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: Let me share your grief divine Let me, to my lastest breath, In my body bear the death Of your dying Son divine. Wounded with His every wound, Steep my til' it has swooned In His very Blood away Be to me, O virgin, nighn Lest in flames I burn and die, In His awe-full judgement day. Saviour, when my life shall leave me, Through your mother's prayers receive me With the fruits of victory. While body here decays May my soul your goodness praise, Safe in heaven eternally.