4 Latin Motets

Four Latin motets (1991) for mixed choir SSATB (SSA) by Per Nørgård.

Edited by Ivan Hansen.

1 Ne obsurdescas mihi (SSA/SAT),
2 Ad te Domineclamabo (SSATB),
3 Quam dilecta tabernacula tua (SSA/SAT),
4 Exultavit in Deum (SSATB),

Programme note

All four motets are based on the first motets´ simple, pentatonicinitial motif. Like the polarities of the hymn texts between lamentation and jubilation, the motif appears in various disguises, from a gloomy Japanese (death-) mode (first and second motet) to the lighter, celebratory forms inthefamiliar Chinese pentatonic scale and the Indonesian “pelog” scale (third and fourth motet). The mood-creating scales weave (like the text sections) in and out of each other,; just a few changes in notes change griefto joy, from idyll to catastrophe.
The latin version of the motets (originally with Danish text, 1991) was made in 1998 by Per Nørgård and Ivan Hansen.

Ivan Hansen