Caecilia (Anonymous)

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• (Posted 2011-07-17)  CPDL #23646: 

Editor: Mick Swithinbank (submitted 2011-06-02).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 45 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Caecilia
Composer: Anonymous

Arranger: Mick Swithinbank

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SATBB

Genre: Sacred, Sacred song for St. Cecilia's Day

Language: German
Instruments: A cappella

Published:

Description: The melody and words are traditional in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and probably in neighbouring areas of Germany. They are of unknown age (the move on line 4 to the dominant might suggest the 19c). The source used presented the music as a duet for women's voices, which this arranger either lost or discarded years ago. Each verse was set identically. In Luxembourg at least, it is traditional in Catholic churches to sing the piece at the end of Mass on St Cecilia's Day, although how widely this is done the arranger does not know.

In this arrangement, each of the three verses has its own setting for S A T Bar B, with dynamics added. The very beginning of verse one is identical to the music in the source on which the arrangement is based; as the congregation at the first performance in 1998 was expecting to hear the traditional setting for two voices, the arranger thought it would be amusing to add the extra voices one by one as unobtrusively as possible.

External websites:

Original text and translations

German text 1  Caecilia wie lieblich klingt dein edler Nam' in aller Welt, der Engelschar, die Gott lobsingt, bist du o Jungfrau zugesellt. Die Rose glüht, die Lilie glänzt im Lichte, das dein Haupt umkränzt. 2  Dein Leben war ein Lobgesang, dein Herz ein goldnes Saitenspiel, das Gott zu ehren lieblich klang und seinem Herzen wohl gefiel. Der Harmonien Königin bist du, o heil’ge Martyrin. 3  Ins Himmelreich erhebt und zieht die Sehnsucht uns're Seel empor, sie sänge gern das hohe Lied mit dir im heil'gen Engelchor. Hilf ihr im Kampf und führe sie ins Reich der ew'gen Harmonie!

English translation 1  Cecilia, your noble name is hymned in pleasing tones the world over. Your place, virgin, is among the company of angels who sing God’s praises. The rose and the lily add their colours to your halo. 2  Your life was a song of praise, your heart the sound of golden strings being plucked, honouring God with their charming sound, well pleasing to His heart. You are the queen of harmony, holy martyr. 3  Our longing draws our souls towards Heaven, desirous to sing celestial songs with you in the holy choir of angels. Help our souls in their striving and lead them into the realm of eternal harmony. Translation by Mick Swithinbank