“Heu 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 (ed. 1936 page 1791) and is sung after Lectio V in the secund Nocturn (Secundo nocturno) in the Matins of the Dead. In this case the composer Andrea Gabrilei set this Respond “Heu mihi Domine” for five voices (CATTB). 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. Gabrieli uses in this case the general version, but omitted the belonging Versicle which is placed between brackets by us in the text below. Instead of “ubi” where, Gabrieli uses the word “quo” where. A slightly difference. Gabrieli set this motet generally in imitative polyphonic counterpoint as developed by the Netherlandish polyphonists. Gabrieli starts with Tenor, followed by Bassus, Altus, Cantus and Quintus. Tenor, Bassus and Cantus start with the same theme. Altus and Quintus a quint higher compared to Tenor and Bassus. Stylistically these motet is noticeably earlier than the polychoral works for which even both Gabrieli’s are today known. Gabrieli makes intensive use of imitative polyphony with a flowing cadence in this motet. Nevertheless Gabrieli uses indeed more specific word-painting in the “Miserere mei/have mercy on me”, with a full major chords in homophonic style to underline those words in bars 38 up to 42, which will be repeated again in the same notes and rhythm “Miserere” in bars 51 up to 55. But interesting is both homophonic phrases are followed by an identical ”dum veneris in novis die” set in imitative style. We could hear and see here an example of the polychoral style already in mind of Gabrieli . The closure of “Dum veneris” in the last two bars differs of course from the previous and the motet closes in E Phrygian mode. This motet consists out of 64 bars.
This work is published in Andrea Gabrieli Sacrae Cantiones (Vulgo Motecta Appellatae), Quinque Vocum, Liber Primus Angelo Gardano Venezia 1565.
Text:
R. Hei mihi, Domine, quia peccavi nimis in vita mea:
quid faciam miser, [ubi] quo fugiam, nisi ad te, Deus meus?
Miserere mei, dum veneris in novissimo die.
[V. Anima mea turbata est valde: sed tu Domine succurre ei.]
[R. 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.
[V. My soul is greatly troubled; intercede upon me, o Lord!]
[R. Have mercy on me when. Thou shalt come at the latter of all days].