♫ Libera me, Domine
© CPO 999 850-2
The ”Libera me, Domine de morte” is in general a plainchant from the Exsequiarum Ordo (in Exsequiis) more specific a Responsorium sung during the final blessing of the coffin on its catafalque. This Libera me (there are four (4) plain-chant variations known) is an old Responsorium and sung in the part Absolutio super tulum and is published in the old Liber Usualis (edition 1936) pages 1767 – 1768.
Following the text Johann Joseph Fux used the normal published text version as mentioned below.
This large motet “Libera me, Domine de morte aeterna” is written by Fux in short polyphonic settings for among others four voices (SATB) con organo and sometimes three voices (SAT or ATB) again con organo.
Fux uses modest imitative style in this “Libera me” closely resembles Palestrina’s in stile antico.
In this case there is no pre-existing plainchant cantus firmus. In the score there is a figured continuo part available. Fux sets some expressive chromatic inflections in all parts.
The Verse “Tremens factus” starts with three voices ( SAT) in Ms. 26 up to 38. The ‘Dies illa’ is set in a lower imitative texture for (ATB) in Ms. 39-50. The following “Dum veneris” is set again for SATB.
The “Requiem aeternam” in time ₵ is set again for four voices SATB in homophonic style with consecutive chord change. The final ‘luceat eis’ is in 6/2 modus. The normally belonging threefold Kyrie, Christe, Kyrie eleison Is not set by Fux. Of course as we earlier mentioned this Respond will be in accordance with the Gregorian tradition/practise repeated form “Libera me Domine de morte aeterna in die illa tremenda” Ms. 1 -25 up to ‘Tremens factus’.
According Gregorian practise the in exsequiis/the funeral starts after the Missa pro Defunctis.
This setting contains 66 measures and is set in D-Hypo.
This score is found in different files: Autograph manuscript:1695-1718 (ca.) [title page, f. 24r:] Libera me Domine. | à 4 voc. | Del Sigre Giuseppe Fux, | Maestro di Capella di S. M. C. dell'Impce Amalia| score: f. 24r-27v|Manuscript copy: 1800-1850 (ca.); Manuscript copy:1767 |(1767c)
Text:
R. Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna in die illa tremenda
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem.
V. Tremens factus sum ego et timeo, dum discussion venerit atque venture ira:
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra.
V. Dies irae, dies illa, calamitatis et miseriae, dies magna et amara valde.
R. Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem.
V. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine et lux perpetua luceat eis.
R. Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna in die illa tremenda.
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem.
Translation:
R. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death, on that fearful day,
when the heavens and the earth are moved,
when you will come to judge the world through fire.
V. I am seized with fear and trembling, until the trial is at hand and the wrath to come:
when the heavens and earth shall be shaken.
V. That day, the day of wrath, calamity, and misery, that terrible,
and exceedingly bitter day.
R. When you will come to judge the world through fire.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, Lord and may over lasting light shine upon them.
R. Deliver me, Lord from eternal death, on that fearful day,
when the heavens and the earth are moved.