Note provided by Laura Prichard: This short apocalyptic motet by a prominent Renaissance composer from the Low Countries concerns the annihilation of cities hostile to the Jews. After an aggressive opening, the second line is extended for more than two minutes of music. The third line of text is more subdued, as the bass line slows and the other voices drop through a full octave, exhausted and despairing.

Composition:

Set to music by Jacobus Clemens non Papa (1510 - c1555), "Vae tibi, Babylon et Syria" [ chorus ], motet

Text Authorship:

• by Bible or other Sacred Texts , 2 Ezra 16

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

• ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "Alas for you, Babylon and Syria", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

This text was added to the website: 2022-02-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 20