The “Heu mihi Domine” or (Hei mihi Domine) is a plainchant from the Responsorium de Officium Defunctorum, Ad Matutinum. The “Heu mihi, Domine” is an old Responsorium, a Respond which is published in the old Liber Usualis page 1791 (Edition 1936) and is sung after Lectio V in the secund Nocturn. But in the “Castillian” Liturgy this Respond “Heu,Hei mihi “ is sung in the second Nocturn after Lesson IV.
In this case the Sevilian composer Pedro Fernández de Castilleja sets this Respond “Heu mihi Domine” for five voices (SATTB)
See the text part and the references below. The choice of texts and the order in which the Responds normally occur in the sources as we saw in the Renaissance period vary according to local uses. Fernández uses in this case the general version. Fernández sets this motet generally in imitative polyphonic counterpoint. Fernández starts with Tenor 2, followed by Triple, Tenor 1, Contralto, and Bassus. In this setting you see some influence of the Italian masters referring to the art of madrigals.
See for instance word-painting “in vita / in my life” with in nearly all voices a lot of ascending or descending eighth notes especially in Bass, Tenor 1 and 2, (measures 41-50 old score with C-clefs).
In “ubi fugiam / where to flee”, all voices (measures 65-75 old score with C-clefs) have more ascending or descending eighth notes ( Tenor II has eight ones) to underline that wording.
As from measure (105-131 old score) Fernández starts with more homophonic phrases the “miserere mei / have mercy on me,” with full major and changing minor and discording chords to underline those imposing words, all voices culminating in the last measures. Fernández uses fine sharps and flats to underline the meaning of the words all over this motet.
The last phrase “dum veneris / thou shalt come” is again set in polyphonic counterpoint. This motet is set in G-Dorian mode.
Fernández seen this score didn’t follow the normal Gregorian rites of repeating certain sentences.
This imitative counterpoint setting differs from Fernández earlier settings. Wagstaff did the suggestion this motet has been composes later if this is indeed set by Fernández!?
This work is published in Lira sacra Hispania gran collection de obras de musica Religiosa dirigida by D. Hilarion Eslava, maestro de Real Capilla 19th century and in Gr. Wagstaff edition 1990 University of Texas at Austin.
Text:
R. Heu mihi, Domine, quia peccavi nimis in vita mea:
quid faciam miser, ubi fugiam, nisi ad te, Deus meus?
Miserere mei, dum veneris in novissimo die.
Translation:
R. Woe is me, o Lord, for I have sinned exceedingly in my life:
Miserable, what shall I do, to which place shall I flee, if not before Thee, my God?
Have mercy on me when. Thou shalt come at the latter of all days.