Christum natum Dominum (Jacob Handl)

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• (Posted 2025-06-07)  CPDL #85372:     

Editor: Drew Sellis (submitted 2025-06-07).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 185 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed up a tone.

• (Posted 2025-06-07)  CPDL #85371:     

Editor: Drew Sellis (submitted 2025-06-07).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 186 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Note values halved, written pitch retained.

General Information

Title: Christum natum Dominum
Composer: Jacob Handl
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: SAATBB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1586 in Opus musicum (Jacob Handl), Volume 1, no. 42
Description: Motet for Christmas. The indications "II. pars duarum" on the Cantus and Altus II parts, alongside "II. pars ad placitum" on the Tenor part for the second section of this motet, suggest that the Tenor part may have been optional. In fact, the upper two parts function well on their own. The unusually wide range of the parts, particularly Bassus II and Altus I and II, results from expressive word-painting near the piece’s conclusion, where the phrase "ad inferos" (into the underworld) is depicted through the use of low notes.

Original text and translations

Latin text Christum natum Dominum omnes imploremus, matremque cum Filio pariter laudemus. Est satis mirabilis et multum laudabilis vere partus iste: ergo solus Dominus, solus et Altissimus es tu, Jesu Christe. Felix est puerpera cuius casta viscera Deum genuerunt, et beata ubera in aetate tenera Christum lactaverunt. Christe, qui nos propriis manibus fecisti et pro nobis omnibus nasci voluisti, te devote petimus: laxa quod peccavimus, ne sinas perire post mortem nos miseros, ne simul ad inferos patiaris ire.

English translation Christ, the Lord, is born, let us all implore Him; and the Mother with the Son let us likewise praise. Truly, this birth is most wonderful and greatly worthy of praise: therefore, You alone are the Lord, You alone the Most High, Jesus Christ, it is You. Blessed is the woman in childbirth, whose chaste womb bore God, and whose blessed breasts, in her tender age, nourished Christ with milk. Christ, who with Your own hands created us, and for the sake of all of us willed to be born, we devoutly beseech You: loosen what we have sinned; do not allow us, wretched, to perish after death, nor suffer us to go together into the underworld.