Euge caeli porta (Thomas Tallis)

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• (Posted 2011-12-28)   CPDL #24128:

Editor: Matthew Collins^{create page} (submitted 2011-08-09).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 53 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a minor 3rd from G minor to allow for the Soprano line to be sung by a countertenor (set for AATB). The 2nd Alto part has also had minor changes. The word setting whilst remaining fairly intact, has changed slightly.

• CPDL #06604: Finale 2007     Transposed version with tenor/bass switched:

Editor: Paul R. Marchesano (submitted 2004-01-30).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 124 kbytes   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Set for SATB. Translation corrected on score Dec 2008. Second PDF edition transposed down whole step with tenor/bass parts interchanged and tenor lowered one octave overall.

General Information

Title: Euge caeli porta
Composer: Thomas Tallis

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB or AATB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: a cappella
Published:

Description: This is an intriguing score, containing so many odd inversions, especially second inversions. I can't help feeling that it might sound better if the bass part were pitched an octave higher, so that it was mostly above the tenor, serving as another alto part. It would be interesting to compare the score with another source or with an authoritative recording, but I don't have one.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Latin text

Euge caeli porta quae nunc aperta veritatis lumen, ipsum solem justitiae, indutum carne ducis in orbem.

English translation
supplied by The St. Ann Choir, directed by William Mahrt

Well done, O gate of heaven, who now opened, leads into the world the Light of Truth, the very Sun of Justice, clothed in flesh.