Alonso de Alva
Alonso de Alva was a late fifteenth-early sixteenth century Spanish composer. A singer at the Court of Queen Isabella from 1491, he is represented in the Cancionero de Palacio, and by a substantial quantity of sacred music in the Tarazona manuscripts. Twenty liturgical pieces are known: five motets, a mass and six hymns. One work, a four-voice Agnus Dei, bears the ascription ‘Alonso Perez de Alba’, so it is possible we are looking at two musicians with similar names. In 1503 an ‘Alonso de Alva’ was appointed maestro de capilla in charge of the choristers at Seville Cathedral . . . it is to be hoped this choice of employment was not a factor in his death in September of the following year.
Beata nobis gaudia
This polyphonic setting of a Pentecost hymn is from a Tarazona Cathedral manuscript, but the chant, in the soprano part, is not found in any surviving plainchant source. It is likely the chant is from an unknown Mozarabic liturgy used in Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries. A transcription is found in ‘Chorwerk’ Vol. 60 edited by Rudolf Gerber. We hear the first of seven stanzas.
Alonso de Alva "Beata nobis gaudia"
Text:
Beata nobis gaudia
Anni reduxit orbita,
Cum Spiritus paraclitus
Effulsit in discipulos
Translation:
The circle of the year has brought back to us the blessed joys, which the Spirit-Comforter showed to the disciples.
Veni creator Spiritus
A further polyphonic setting of a Pentecost hymn by de Alva is on the well known chant “Veni creator”, sounding again in the soprano part. The transcription is also found in ‘Chorwerk’ Vol. 60 edited by Rudolf Gerber. Four of seven stanzas are sung, alternating plainchant and polyphony.
Alonso de Alva "Veni creator Spiritus"
Text:
Veni Creator Spiritus,
Mentes tuorum visita:
Imple superna gratia
Quae tu creasti pectora.
Qui diceris Paraclitus,
Altissimi donum Dei,
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.
Tu septiformis munere,
Digitus paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
Sermone ditans guttura.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In saeculorum saecula.
Amen.
Translation:
Come, Creator Spirit,
visit the souls of Thy children;
fill with heavenly grace
the hearts which Thou hast made.
Thou art called the Holy Spirit,
the gift of God most high,
the living fountain, fire, love,
and spiritual unction.
Thou art sevenfold in Thy gifts,
the finger of the Father’s right hand;
Thou art the promise of the Father,
endowing tongues with speech.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, who rose from the dead,
and to the Holy Spirit,
Forever and ever.
Amen.