Jordi Savall i Bernadet (born 1941, in Igualada, Catalonia) is a Catalan vi… Read Full Bio ↴Jordi Savall i Bernadet (born 1941, in Igualada, Catalonia) is a Catalan viol player and composer. He is one of the major figures in the field of early music since the 1970s, largely responsible for bringing the viol (viola da gamba) back to life on the stage. His repertory ranges from Medieval to Renaissance and Baroque music.

Savall's musical training started in the school choir of his native town (1947-55). He later completed his training at the Barcelona Conservatory of Music (1959-65). Afterward, he began his specialisation in early music at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland (1968-70).

In 1974 he formed the ensemble Hespèrion XX (since 2000 as Hespèrion XXI), together with the soprano Montserrat Figueras (his wife), Lorenzo Alpert and Hopkinson Smith. Hespèrion XX favored a style of interpretation characterised by great musical vitality and at the same time, maximum historical accuracy.

In 1987 he returned to Barcelona to found La Capella Reial de Catalunya, a vocal ensemble devoted to the interpretation of music prior to the 18th century.

Finally, in 1989 Savall created Le Concert des Nations, an orchestra that is generally dedicated to the baroque repertoire, but which sometimes also serves as an outlet for music that hails from the classical/romantic repertoire (e.g. Sinfonia a Gran Orquesta by Juan Crisótomo de Arriga).

Savall's discography includes more than 140 recordings. Since 1998 he has released his records with his own label, Alia Vox.

Jordi Savall is also a two-time Grammy nominee, who scored the 1991 Alain Corneau film, Tous les matins du monde (also awarded the César of the French film industry in 1992). The soundtrack, re-released on his own Alia Vox label, has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

Juditha Triumphans RV 644 pars prior: Chœur des femmes de Béthulie "Mundi Rector de Cælo"
Jordi Savall Lyrics

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CHORUS
(Virginum psalentium in Bethulia)
Mundi Rector de Caelo micanti
Audi preces, et suscipe vota
Quae de corde pro te dimicanti
Sunt pietatis in sinu devota.
In Juditha tuae legi dicata
Flammas dulcis tui amoris accende

Feritatis sic hostis domata
In Bethuliae spem pacis intende.
Redi iam Victrix pugnando
In cilicio, in prece revive

De Holoferne sic hodie triumphando
Pia Juditha per saecula vive.

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from the Chœur des femmes de Béthulie (Chorus of the Women of Bethulia) in Jordi Savall's song "Juditha Triumphans RV 644 pars prior." The lyrics are in Latin and can be translated as follows:

CHORUS
(Virgin voices singing in Bethulia)
Ruler of the world shining from heaven,
Listen to our prayers, and accept our vows,
Which, from the heart, fighting for you,
Are devoted in the bosom of piety.
In Judith, dedicated to your law,
Kindle the flames of your sweet love,
Thus the enemy of cruelty subdued,
In Bethulia, bring hope for peace.
Return now victorious from battle,
Revive in sackcloth and prayer,
In triumph over Holofernes today,
May virtuous Judith live through the ages.

The chorus starts by addressing the "Ruler of the world" as the one who shines from heaven. They call upon this divine ruler to hear their prayers and accept their vows. These prayers and vows are described as coming from the hearts of those who fight for their ruler and are devoted to piety.

They then mention Judith, who is dedicated to the law (possibly referring to the biblical character Judith). The chorus asks that the ruler kindles the flames of love within Judith, presumably for the divine ruler or for a cause related to him. By doing so, they hope that the enemy of cruelty will be subdued in Bethulia, bringing hope for peace. Judith's devotion and actions are seen as instrumental in this hope.

The chorus concludes by urging Judith to return as a victor from battle, emphasizing her pious qualities by mentioning her sackcloth attire and prayer. They celebrate her triumph over Holofernes, a symbolic figure representing the enemy, and express the desire for Judith to live virtuously throughout the ages.

In summary, the lyrics express a plea to the divine ruler for help and support in the ongoing battle for justice and peace. Judith, as a devoted follower, is called upon to triumph over the enemy and ensure that her virtuous qualities endure for generations to come.

Line by Line Meaning

Mundi Rector de Caelo micanti
O Ruler of the world, shining from Heaven

Audi preces, et suscipe vota
Hear our prayers and accept our vows

Quae de corde pro te dimicanti
Which, fighting for you, come from our hearts

Sunt pietatis in sinu devota
They are devoted acts of piety

In Juditha tuae legi dicata
In honor of your dedicated servant Juditha

Flammas dulcis tui amoris accende
Ignite the sweet flames of your love

Feritatis sic hostis domata
So that the enemy of cruelty is defeated

In Bethuliae spem pacis intende
Instill hope for peace in Bethulia

Redi iam Victrix pugnando
Return victorious from battle

In cilicio, in prece revive
In sackcloth, revive through prayer

De Holoferne sic hodie triumphando
By triumphing over Holofernes today