Voices of Connection: 07/15 Sicut cervus and its sibling
When we began this daily Voices of Connection series back on March 31, the very first piece offered was Palestrina’s supremely beautiful Sicut cervus, undoubtedly his most famous composition. Most people don’t know that it is just Part I of a double motet. Part II is known as Sitivit anima mea which continues on with more of the Psalm 42 text. Today we’ll put them together and you can see the text below. Notice the difference in the music, as the mood of the text changes. This is Palestrina at his best!
– Dennis Keene
Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum,
ita desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus.
Sitivit anima mea ad Deum fortem vivum:
quando veniam et apparebo ante faciem Dei?
Fuerunt mihi lacrymae meae panes die ac nocte,
dum dicitur mihi quotidie:
Ubi est Deus tuus?
As a hart longs for the flowing streams,
so longs my soul for thee, O God.
My soul has thirsted for the living God:
When shall I come and appear before the face of my God?
My tears have been my bread by day and by night,
While it is said to me daily:
Where is your God? -Psalm 42:1-3
PALESTRINA "Sicut cervus" and "Sitivit anima mea"
Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director
from the Delos recording Prince of Music ℗ 1999 Delos
The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.