Douglas Mason

Angelus ad Virginem

Angelus ad Virginem, composed in 2005, is a setting of the anonymous 14th century text for unaccompanied double upper voice choir. Depicting the Annunciation, the biblical event in which the Angel Gabriel communicated with Mary about the forthcoming birth of Jesus, the music is intended to represent the sound of an angelic voice through its use of tranquil polychordal harmony and chant-like nature. The piece also exists in an instrumental version for violin septet (or solo with ensemble), called The Annunciation, also published by Clifton Edition.

Text: c. 14th Century Carol

Angelus ad Virginem
Subintrans in conclave,
Virginis formidinem
Demulcens, inquit: Ave!
Ave, regina virginum;
Caeli terraeque Dominum
Concipies et paries intacta
Salutem hominum;
Tu porta caeli facta,
Medela criminum.
Quomodo conciperem,
Quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem
Quae firma mente vovi?
Spiritus Sancti gratia
Perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timeas, sed gaudeas,
Secura quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura
Dei potentia.
Ad haec virgo nobilis
Respondens inquit ei:
Ancilla sum humilis
Omnipotentis Dei.
Tibi caelesti nuntio,
Tanti secreti conscio,
Consentiens et cupiens videre
Factum quod audio,
Parata sum parere
Dei consilio.
Eia mater Domini,
Quae pacem reddidisti
Angelis et homini,
Cum Christum genuisti;
Tuum exora filium
Ut se nobis propitium
Exhibeat, et deleat peccata,
Praestans auxilium
Vita frui beata
Post hoc exsilium.

Text: medieval Latin, 13th/14th century; found in Arundel 248 and the Dublin Troper.

Punctuation and capitalisation editorial.