A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Salve Regina

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Salvayre, Gervais

A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
edited by George Grove

Salve Regina by William Smyth Rockstro

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From volume 3 of the work.

2705868A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Salve ReginaGeorge GroveWilliam Smyth Rockstro

SALVE REGINA. One of the 'Antiphons of the Blessed Virgin Mary,' appointed, in the Roman Breviary, to be sung, from the Feast of the Holy Trinity to the Saturday before the First Sunday in Advent, either at the end of Compline, or, when Compline is not sung, at the end of Vespers.

The Plain Chaunt Melody of 'Salve Regina' a noble example of the use of the Mixed Dorian Mode rarely fails, by its melodious Intervals, and rich Ligatures, to attract the attention of English visitors to foreign Cathedrals.

Modus I et II.

$\relative a' { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \override Score.Stem #'stencil = ##f \cadenzaOn a\breve g1 a d, \bar "|" a' g f e4 d e1 f g f e d \bar "|" c d f g\breve f4 g1 a\breve d, e1 f e d\breve c4 d1 \bar"|" s } \addlyrics { Sal -- _ _ ve Re -- _ gi -- _ _ _ _ _ _ na, _ ma -- ter mi -- se -- ri -- cor -- _ _ _ _ _ _ di -- æ, }$

Since the 15th century, it has been frequently treated, in the Motet style, with excellent effect. Palestrina has left us five superb settings, four of which are included in Messrs. Breitkopf & Härtel's new edition of his works; and most of the other great Masters of the Polyphonic Schools have left at least an equal number. It has also been a favourite subject with modern Composers, many of whom have treated it, more or less happily, with Accompaniments for the Orchestra, or Organ. Pergolesi's last composition was a 'Salve Regina,' which is generally regarded as his greatest triumph in the direction of Church Music.

What has been said of the 'Salve Regina' applies, with equal force, to the Antiphons for the Seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter—'Alma Redemptoris Mater,' 'Ave Regina,' and 'Regina cœli'; the last of which, especially, has been a great favourite, both with Polyphonic and Modern Composers.

[ W. S. R. ]