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.

La Spagna à 5
Jordi Savall Lyrics

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Ia Gaude, Virgo, plena Deo,
de qua natus fortis leo;
Christus mortem philisteo
dedit, id est Zabulo.

Ib Orbem, luce destitutum,
tu illustras, dum virtutum
regem paris, nostrum ductum

in omni periculo.

IIa Rex est Christus qui gravatus,
in Egypto captivatus,
donum prestat libertatis,
ruptis vinclis validis.

IIb Nam in luti servitute
nostre manus in volute
sunt a luto iam solute
a penisque sordidis.

IIIa Ergo per te iam placcatus
Deus, olim provocatus,
aufert nobis, miseratus,
servitutem lateris.

IIIb Deus, quoque miserator,
omnis boni dispensator,
plage nostre fit sanator
plaga sui lateris.

IVa Ecce quantum nos dilexit
que de luto nos erexit
et ab hoste nos protexit
suum mittens Filium.

IVb Hic, laborans, languens, lassus,
est pro nobis mortem passus,
hic et nobis fit conpassus
per te det et premium.

Amen.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of La Spagna à 5 by Jordi Savall are in Latin and contain religious themes. The song praises the Virgin Mary and refers to the story of Jesus Christ's birth, his captivity in Egypt, and his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. The lyrics express gratitude for the forgiveness and liberation brought by Christ's death, as well as the healing power of God's compassion.

In the first section (Ia and Ib), the song speaks of the joy and fullness of the Virgin Mary, from whom a strong lion (symbolizing Christ) was born. It mentions how Christ gave death to the Philistine (referencing the story of Samson and Delilah) and the tribe of Zabulon.

The second section (IIa and IIb) identifies Christ as the King who was burdened and held captive in Egypt. It highlights his gift of freedom by breaking strong chains. It also emphasizes how humanity's bondage to sin was released, symbolized by hands emerging from the mud being freed from filthy punishments.

Moving to the third section (IIIa and IIIb), the lyrics recognize that God, who was once provoked, has now been appeased through the Virgin Mary. With mercy, he removes the bondage of our side, likely referring to the wounds and suffering of Christ on the cross. God is depicted as the dispenser of all good things and the healer of our afflictions.

The final section (IVa and IVb) exclaims how much God has loved us by raising us from the mud and protecting us from the enemy. It acknowledges Christ's suffering and asks for his compassion, hoping that through the Virgin Mary, we may receive our reward.

Overall, these lyrics celebrate the role of the Virgin Mary and express gratitude for the forgiveness, liberation, and healing brought by Christ's sacrifice.

Line by Line Meaning

Ia Gaude, Virgo, plena Deo,
Rejoice, Virgin, filled with God,

de qua natus fortis leo;
from whom a strong lion was born;

Christus mortem philisteo
Christ defeated death

dedit, id est Zabulo.
that is, Satan.

Ib Orbem, luce destitutum,
The world, abandoned by light,

tu illustras, dum virtutum
you illuminate, while the king of virtues

regem paris, nostrum ductum
prepares our leader

in omni periculo.
in every danger.

IIa Rex est Christus qui gravatus,
The King is Christ, who, burdened

in Egypto captivatus,
was captured in Egypt,

donum prestat libertatis,
bestows the gift of freedom