He was not an innovator, with the exception of a few late works, and wrote within a stable tradition. He was one of the last composers to make use of mediaeval techniques such as isorhythm, but one of the first to use the harmonies, phrasing, and expressive melodies characteristic of the early Renaissance. His compositions within the larger genres - masses, motets, and chansons - are mostly similar to each other; his renown is largely due to what was perceived as his perfect control of the forms in which he worked, as well as his gift for memorable and singable melody. During the fifteenth century he was universally regarded as the greatest composer of the time, and that belief has largely persisted to the present day. Dufay, who wrote mostly church music, was a priest. His most famous motet is probably Nuper rosarum flores composed for the consecration of the cathedral of Florence in 1436.
Ave maris stella
Guillaume Dufay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper virgo,
Felix coeli porta.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Solve vincia reis
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.
Monstra te esse Matrem,
Sumat per te preces
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.
Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos.
Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum;
Ut videntes Jesum
Semper collaetemur.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.
The song "Ave maris stella" by Guillaume Dufay is a hymn dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. The lyrics of the song praise her as heavenly door and a mother of God, as well as a source of peace and guidance. The opening lines of the song, "Ave Maris Stella, Dei Mater alma, Atque semper virgo, Felix coeli porta" (Hail, Star of the Sea, Gentle Mother of God, And still remaining a virgin, Blessed gate of heaven), set the tone for the Marian theme that runs throughout the song.
The second verse of the song continues to praise the Virgin Mary, asking her to intercede for us and to help us overcome our sins and find peace. The third verse focuses on the humility and gentleness of the Virgin Mary, calling her "virgo singularis" (singular virgin) and asking her to help us become free from sin and pure of heart. The final verse is a prayer for guidance and protection on our journey through life, asking that we may always find joy in the presence of Jesus Christ.
Overall, "Ave maris stella" is a beautiful hymn that praises the Virgin Mary and asks for her intercession and guidance in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ave, Maris Stella,
Hail, Star of the Sea,
Dei Mater alma,
Loving Mother of God,
Atque semper virgo,
And ever-virgin,
Felix coeli porta.
Blessed gate of heaven.
Sumens illud Ave
Receiving that "Ave"
Gabrielis ore,
From Gabriel's mouth,
Funda nos in pace,
Establish us in peace,
Mutans Evae nomen.
Transforming the name of "Eva."
Solve vincia reis
Loosen the chains of the guilty,
Profer lumen caecis,
Bring light to the blind,
Mala nostra pelle,
Drive away our evils,
Bona cuncta posce.
Ask for all good things.
Monstra te esse Matrem,
Show thyself to be a mother,
Sumat per te preces
Through thee may he receive our prayers,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Who was born for us,
Tulit esse tuus.
And took upon himself our humanity.
Virgo singularis,
O singular Virgin,
Inter omnes mitis,
Meek above all,
Nos culpis solutos
Make us, absolved from sin,
Mites fac et castos.
Gentle and pure.
Vitam praesta puram,
Grant us a pure life,
Iter para tutum;
Preparation for a safe journey;
Ut videntes Jesum
So that seeing Jesus
Semper collaetemur.
We may always rejoice.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
May there be praise to God the Father,
Summo Christo decus,
Glory to Christ most high,
Spiritui Sancto,
And to the Holy Spirit,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.
To the three, one honor. Amen.
Contributed by Katherine F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@obeatatrinitas
+
Ave, máris stélla,
Déi Máter álma,
atque semper Vírgo,
félix cæli pórta.
Hail, star of the sea,
Nurturing Mother of God,
And ever Virgin
Happy gate of Heaven.
Súmens íllud «Ave»
Gabriélis óre,
fúnda nos in páce,
mútans Hévæ nómen.
Receiving that "Ave"
From the mouth of Gabriel,
Establish us in peace,
Transforming the name of "Eva".
Sólve víncla réis,
prófer lú men cæcis,
mála nóstra pélle,
bóna cúncta pósce.
Loosen the chains of the guilty,
Send forth light to the blind,
Our evil do thou dispel,
Entreat [for us] all good things.
Mónstra te ésse mátrem,
súmat per te préces,
qui pro nóbis nátus
túlit ésse túus.
Show thyself to be a Mother:
Through thee may he receive prayer
Who, being born for us,
Undertook to be thine own.
Vírgo singuláris,
inter ómnes mítis,
nos cúlpis solútos
mítes fac et cástos.
O unique Virgin,
Meek above all others,
Make us, set free from [our] sins,
Meek and chaste.
Vítam præsta púram,
iter pára tútum,
ut vidéntes Jésum
semper collætémur.
Bestow a pure life,
Prepare a safe way:
That seeing Jesus,
We may ever rejoice.
Sit laus Déo Pátri,
summo Chrísto décus,
Spirítui Sáncto
tríbus hónor únus. Amen
Praise be to God the Father,
To the Most High Christ [be] glory,
To the Holy Spirit
[Be] honor, to the Three equally. Amen
@IgnacDvorsky
Kafe, mali sme Ah
Který máte alba?
Sladké jsem měl pírko,
Felix chtěl být polda,
Sumec díru má,
Gabrieli slone,
Fondán nosím pásek,
Mutant zlobil tebe,
Sol ve víku není s prófem,
Mluvil z cesty.
@moritzbleicher9586
Amazing harmonics. And it's composed for just three voices. What a plain beauty.
@raphael.cavalcanti3301
Not to mention it's mostly parallel motion
@pierresentenac
La beauté céleste de cette musique réside dans sa transcendance et son intemporalité. Elle nous permet par notre sensibilité, notre imagination de retrouver l'essence même de la spiritualité qui nourrit notre être et nous conduit vers cet au-delà du temps... Dieu
@hismajestysmen
An absolutely beautiful performance.
@zigosepalum5641
Dufay est vraiment un immense compositeur, sa musique est incomparable par sa capacité à engendrer grandes émotions.
@fleeb
Ah, mais n'oubliez pas Josquin. Si subtile, sa musique.
@christophegeoffroy4281
je trouve ça incroyablement moderne et exquis d'enchaîner si subtilement un si bémol et un si bécarre dans deux voix différentes. Belle découverte.
@Lordell
Lets be honest. We all had to look this video up for work.
@fleeb
I seek this sort of music out for its own beauty, so... not so much.
@TwistedThunderKittie
no