[New Rendition] Thomas Tallis: Videte miraculum (c.1556) 

The antiphon "Videte miraculum" was published in the middle of the Elizabethan era (around 1580), but its complex polyphonic style punctuated by Latin plainchant was reminiscent of an earlier period in Tallis' exceptionally long career which spanned the reigns of 4 Tudor monarchs. This quiet and richly textured responsory (or Respond) for 6 parts (SSAATB) was intended for the Festival of Candlemas (a.k.a. First Vespers of the Purification), a day that celebrated the end of the Christmas season and commemorated the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem. Tallis, a staunch Catholic, living in a newly restored Protestant nation under Queen Elizabeth I, remained fiercely loyalty to the English crown despite the state sanctioned oppression of his faith. Elizabeth, being a connoisseur of fine music, tolerated Tallis' religious beliefs and allowed him special dispensation regarding the publication of non-Anglican liturgy for a wider spiritual community.
The original notes (MIDI file) and the lyrics was uploaded to CPDL.org by Diana Thompson. In this latest rendition, I created a more legato effect in both the plainchant and the chorus. I also rebalanced the voices and added some natural dynamics to the upper 4 voice parts. I corrected a few of the default Vocaloid phonemes to simulate a mid-16th century Anglo-Latin accent. For example, "cognoscit" was probably "koŋnoːsɪt" and "concepit" was likely "konsepɪt." The first iteration of the motet starts with the tenor plainchant (P) followed by the full chorus singing the full text which consists of 3 parts (ABC). With each interjection of plainchant, a progressively shorter version of the same text is sung by the chorus in the following sequence: P1 - ABC - P2 - BC - P3 - C.
++++++++++
Text:
Videte miraculum
Matris Domini:
concepit virgo virilis ignara consortii,
stans onerata nobili onere Maria;
et matrem se laetam cognoscit,
quae se nescit uxorem.
Haec speciosum forma prae filiis hominum
castis concepit visceribus,
et benedicta in aeternum
Deum nobis protulit et hominem.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.
English translation (adapted from Mick Swithinbank, CPDL.org)
Behold the miracle
of the mother of the Lord:
a virgin conceived though she knows not man,
Mary, stands laden with her noble burden;
knowing not that she is a wife,
she rejoices to be a mother.
She has conceived in her chaste womb
one who is beautiful beyond the sons of men,
and blessed for ever,
(she) has brought forth God and man for us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
++++++++++
Description of the photos:
1. Annuciation of the Virgin, Domenico Beccafumi, c1545
2. Canterbury Cathedral choir where Tallis began his illustrious career as music director and composer
3. Annunciation of the Virgin, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Staircase arch, Titian, 1535
4. Canterbury Cathedral, "Becket's Crown"; one is reminded of the recurrent feud between England's royal family and the Catholic church.
5. Canterbury Cathedral, window
6. Canterbury Cathedral, cloister
7. Canterbury Cathedral, choir screen
8. Canterbury Cathedral, nave
9. Canterbury Cathedral, Norman crypt
10. Lion figure (symbol of the English monarchy), Hampton Court Palace entrance
11. Chapel Royal choir at Hampton Court where Tallis was appointed Gentleman of the Chapel Royal.
12. Chapel Royal, ceiling
13. Chapel Royal, royal insignia
14. Hampton Court Palace, front entrance