Johannes Ciconia
Recent research has settled on c. 1372 as the composer, Johannes Ciconia’s, birth date . . . and first mention of him as a chorister in Liège in 1385. Later we find him in service to Cardinal Philippe d’Alençon around 1390, placing him in the midst of the papal schism in Rome. By 1401 he is listed as a Chaplain at the Cathedral in Padua where Francesco Zabarella was Archpriest, the subject of his motet, “Doctorum principem”. In 1411, the year before he died Ciconia published ‘De proportionibus’, on metrical proportion in music. His music is more Medieval than Renaissance. That transition is made in the next decades by Guillaume Dufay.
Doctorum principem
A laudatory motet dedicated to Franciscus Zabarella, essentially Ciconia’s boss at the Cathedral in Padua. Zabarella was a significant figure in ecclesiastical politics in the early 1400s. Allied with John XXIII he played a role in settling the Papal schism at the Councils of Pisa (1409) and Constance (1415), and unsuccessfully attempted to moderate the stance of John Hus at his trial.
The motet is found in the Bologna ms. Q15 compiled c. 1440.
Johannes Ciconia "Doctorum principem"
Doctorum principem super ethera
revocant virtutum digna merita,
ergo vive voci detur opera
promat mentis fervor intus concita.
O Francisce Zabarelle, gloria,
doctor, honos et lumen Patavorum,
vive felix de tanta victoria
pro te virescit fama Patavorum.
O Francisce Zabarelle,pabula
parasti pastoribus armentorum,
quibus prescant oves, grata secula
te pro munere revocant laborum.
Raise the prince of the learned over
the ether of virtue’s high rewards,
for this let man raise a lively voice.
let the heart express what is felt within.
Oh, Franciscus Zabarella, fame,
mentor, honour and light of Paduans,
live in the joy of such a victory,
because of you, Paduans enjoy fame.
Oh, Franciscus Zabarella,you have
prepared food for shepherds on which
their sheep graze. For centuries you will
be remembered with gratitude for your
deeds.