Fasciculus myrrhae (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)

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(Posted 2020-06-24) CPDL #59338: (LilyPond)

Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2020-06-24). Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 80 kB Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes: In original high clefs. Transposition instructions are in the source, or feel free to email me a request.

(Posted 2019-06-30) CPDL #54656:

Original key (high chiavette):

Transposed down a tone:

Transposed down a fourth:

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2019-06-30). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 83 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Note values halved. Updated version of Edition #2006.

(Posted 2017-08-11) CPDL #45828:

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2017-08-11). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 61 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Reformatting of #2006, with musica ficta absorbed into staves. Original pitch.

(Posted 2016-05-18) CPDL #39686:

Original pitch:

Transposed down a minor third:

Transposed down a fourth:

Editor: Gerd Eichler (submitted 2019-11-01). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 68 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from original print (based on 1587 edition), Mensurstrich layout, original key signature and note values, musica ficta clearly marked.

(Posted 2008-06-15) CPDL #17233: (Finale 2006)

Editor: Sabine Cassola (submitted 2008-06-15). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 64 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: File Sizes: MIDI: 7 KB, Finale 2006: 27 KB.

General Information

Title: Fasciculus myrrhae
Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Source of text: Song of Solomon 1:12-14 (Vulgate)

Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1584 in Canticum Canticorum, no. 7
Description: From ’Song of Songs / Songs of Solomon' - Chapter 1 - Verses 13 through 15.
The use of musica ficta in this piece (just as in many of Palestrina's works, and unlike e.g. in Lasso's pieces) is far from straightforward. Among the recordings of this piece rather differing realisations of musica ficta can be found.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Song of Solomon 1:13–15

Latin text

Fasciculus myrrhae dilectus meus mihi,
inter ubera mea commorabitur.
Botrus cypri dilectus meus mihi,
in vineis Engaddi.
Ecce tu pulchra es, amica mea,
ecce tu pulchra es, oculi tui columbarum.

English translation

A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me,
he shall abide between my breasts.
A cluster of cypress my love is to me,
in the vineyards of Engaddi.
Behold thou art fair, O my love,
behold thou art fair, thine eyes are as those of doves.

German translation

Ein Myrrhenbüschel ist mein Geliebter mir,
zwischen meinen Brüsten wird er weilen.
Eine Weinbeere Zyperns ist mein Geliebter mir
in den Weinbergen En-Gedis.
Siehe, du bist schön, meine Freundin,
siehe, du bist schön, deine Augen sind die von Tauben.

Hungarian translation

Az én szerelmesem mirrhabokréta nekem,
mely emlőim között mulat.
Ciprus fürtje nekem az én szerelmesem
Engaddi szőlőiből.
Ime te szép vagy, én szeretőm!
ime te szép vagy, a te szemeid galambszemek.

Dutch translation

[Zij:]
Wat knap ben je toch, mijn liefste en wat bekoorlijk.
Ons bed is het bloemenveld,
de balken van onze vertrekken zijn ceders,
de plafonds zijn cipressen.
Ik ben een weidebloem en een lelietje van dalen.

Translation by Anton Hendriks, Ben Terstegge & Hanneke Pot