Psallite

Psallite
Composed by Michael Praetorius
Arranged for flute with string trio (violin-viola-cello) by Richard Arnest

Includes score and parts

Duration: 3’30”

For the Morin Sisters, Christmas 2003

The music of Michael Prætorius (1571-1621) continues to be played, most often at Christmas. This deceptively simple tune trades voice pairs and stays with the hearer. Prætorius published it in his book Musæ Sioniæ (1609). The text is ‘macaronic’ – which means it contains verses in multiple languages. The text begins in Latin, switches to German, then repeats the Latin phrase. This was a fairly common usage around 1600.

This instrumental piece can be performed on studio programs, as special music in a church service, particularly a service of lessons and carols. It is also a useful seasonal concert piece and can be used as incidental music for holiday celebration.

Psallite, unigenito
Christo Dei Filio
Redemptori Domino, puerulo,
iacenti in praesepio.

Ein kleines Kindelein
liegt in dem Krippelein
Alle liebe Engelein
dienen dem Kindelein
und singen ihm fein

Sing to Christ,
The only begotten Son of God
The Redeemer of the Lord,
A child lying in a manger

A small Child
Lies in the manger
All the blessed angels
Serve Him
And sing to Him.