Beatus Vir (Psalm 112) |
Claudio Monteverdi |
This is a psalm about the wisdom of the man who takes God as his spiritual guide. This is written in the concertante style and was published in Venice in 1641 as part of Monteverdi’s collection of works known as Selva Morale, although it is thought to have been written about 1630. The piece is written for SSATTB chorus plus two obbligato instrumental parts, and is in Da Capo (or ternary) form with the opening section being reprised at the end. Again, the upper soprano part often takes the lead with the remainder of the voices following in its wake. The piece is a beautiful example of the emerging concertante style, with pairs of voices constantly being drawn from different parts of the texture and pitted against one another. There are also examples of stretto, where voices enter imitatively in quick succession, and the whole work is punctuated by short passages of imitative instrumental ritornelli. The middle (or B) section slips effortlessly into a gentle triple-time, which is concluded by a brief virtuosic section for soloists before the opening returns. |
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| Beatus vir qui timet Dominum: | Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: |
| in mandata eius volet nimis. | he hath great delight in his commandments. |
| Potens in terra erit semen eius: | His seed shall be mighty upon Earth: |
| generatio rectorum benedicetur. | the generation of the faithful shall be blessed. |
| Gloria et divitiae in domo eius: | Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house: |
| et iustitia eius manet in saeculum saeculi. | and his righteousness endureth for ever. |
| Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis: | Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: |
| misericors et miserator et iustus. | he is merciful, loving and righteous. |
| Iucundus homo qui miseratur et commodat: | A good man is merciful and lendeth: |
| disponet sermones suos in iuditio. | and will guide his words with discretion. |
| Quia in aeternum non commovebitur: | For he shall never be moved: |
| in memoria aeterna erit iustus. | and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. |
| Ab auditione mala non timebit: | He will not be afraid of any evil tidings: |
| paratum cor eius sperare in Domino confirmatum. | for his heart standeth fast and believeth in the Lord. |
| Confirmatum est cor eius non commovebitur: | His heart is established and will not shrink: |
| donec despiciat inimicos suos. | until he see his desire upon his enemies. |
| Dispersit pauperibus iustitia eius: | He hath dispersed abroad and given to the poor: |
| manet in saeculum
saeculi; cornu eius exaltabitur in gloria. |
and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. |
| Peccator videbit et irascetur: | The ungodly shall see it and it shall grieve him: |
| dentibus suis fremet et tabescet; | he shall gnash with his teeth and consume away; |
| desiderium peccatorum peribit. | the desire of the ungodly shall perish. |
| Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: | Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: |
| sicut erat in principio
et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. |
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
O Sacrum Convivium |
Andrea Gabrieli |
This instrumental piece was published in Venice in 1565 by Andrea Gabrieli, and is the earliest published piece in this concert. |
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Sursum Corda |
Plainsong |
These words are used during the Eucharist at the start of the Eucharistic prayer, which culminates in the blessing of bread and wine, and is punctuated by the Sanctus and the Benedictus. |
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Dominus vobiscum; |
The Lord be with you; |
©2018 Aberdeen Bach Choir.
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