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.
Pange Lingua gloriosi
Jordi Savall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
corporis mysterium,
sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
rex effudit gentium.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum (Quinque vocibus)
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
præstet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque (Chorus)
laus et jubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio.
Amen.
(St. Tomás de Aquino)
The lyrics of the song Pange Lingua gloriosi by Jordi Savall are a hymn devoted to the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, composed by Saint Thomas Aquinas in the thirteenth century. The hymn emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist by referring to Christ's body and precious blood, which were shed for the salvation of humanity. It also states that Christ, who is the fruit of the generous womb of the Blessed Virgin, was poured out by the king of the nations as a price for the world.
In the second part of the lyrics, the hymn Tantum Ergo Sacramentum is introduced. This hymn is a meditation on the mystery of the Eucharist and calls on worshippers to adore the sacrament with humility and reverence. The lyrics highlight the significance of faith in supplementing the inadequacy of human senses in understanding the mystery of the Eucharist. The third and final part of the lyrics is a doxology or a short hymn of praise, devoted to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The lyrics honor and celebrate the glory, salvation, honor, and power of the triune God.
Line by Line Meaning
Pange lingua gloriosi (Chorus)
Let us sing the glorious song
corporis mysterium,
of the mystery of the body
sanguinisque pretiosi,
and the precious blood
quem in mundi pretium
that was poured out as ransom
fructus ventris generosi
born of a generous womb
rex effudit gentium.
the king who shed his blood for all nations.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum (Quinque vocibus)
Therefore, let us adore this sacrament
veneremur cernui:
let us bow down in adoration
et antiquum documentum
and let the ancient covenant
novo cedat ritui:
be replaced by the new rite
præstet fides supplementum
may faith provide a supplement
sensuum defectui.
for our deficiencies in understanding.
Genitori, Genitoque (Chorus)
To the Father and to the Son
laus et jubilatio,
praise and jubilation
salus, honor, virtus quoque
salvation, honor, and power
sit et benedictio:
be also with blessing
procedenti ab utroque
to Him who proceeds from both
compar sit laudatio.
may there be equal praise. Amen.
(St. Tomás de Aquino)
Written by St. Thomas Aquinas.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tomas Luis de Victoria
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind