"Confitebor tibi Terzo" by Claudio Monteverdi

Confitebor tibi Terzo, alla francese à 5 qual si puo concertare, SV267 From Selva morale e spirituale, 1641 by Claudio Monteverdi
Early Music Missouri’s December 2022 concert featured sacred music by Claudio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643), principally from his late career publication, Selva morale e spirituale. Published in 1641 Selva morale e spirituale (“Moral and Spiritual Forest”) is an anthology, principally of sacred vocal music ranging from old-fashioned settings of the mass to concertato ensemble pieces for solo singers and instrumentalists.
Monteverdi composed six settings of Psalm 111 (“Confitebor tibi”), two of which appeared on this concert. The text may have fascinated or challenged the composer; each of his six settings offers a different approach to delivering the text.
In the seventeenth century, powerful rulers displayed their influence and wealth with extravagant theater and opera productions. Similar displays developed in sacred music, too. Featuring large-even double or triple choirs-and expansive instrumental forces, the concertato style developed in Venice at San Marco at the late sixteenth century and spread across Italy. It also flourished in Germany, championed by Michael Praetorius and Heinrich Schütz, among others. Monteverdi inherited this concertato approach to orchestration when he took the job at San Marco and many of the pieces in Selva morale e spirituale reflect his version of this massed music. In fact, Monteverdi dedicated Selva morale e spirtuale to the Italian wife of the German Holy Roman Emperor, suggesting that the composer may have aimed this collection northward.
His third setting of “Confitebor tibi” offers an excellent example of this concertato style. The piece carries the descriptor “alla francese à 5 qual si puo concertare,” but Monteverdi’s ideas about the “French style” remain unknown. Scholars have suggested a number of interpretations including a manner of singing or a specific textual approach to meter. This version highlights a solo soprano voice supported by five other parts which may be sung or played on instruments. To illustrate aspects of early concertato style, we offered the piece with our full vocal and instrumental forces united in the alternating supportive role. The solo soprano utilizes the expressive force of the new baroque vocal style and techniques with virtuosic runs and ornaments. The tutti sections reflect the magnificence and power of court extravaganzas. Very much a manifestation of the Roman Church’s power and beliefs, Monteverdi’s music also reflects powerful secularizing forces of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation as he brought secular styles (virtuosic operatic singing, massed vocal and orchestral forces) and instruments (violins, cornetti, lutes and harps) into sacred spaces.
Psalm 111 Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo, In consilio iustorum et congregatione. Magna opera Domini: exquisita in omnes voluntates eius Confessio et magnificentia opua eius, et justitia eius manet in saeculum saeculi. I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart, in the assembly of the virtuous and people’s assembly. Great are the works of the Lord, They delight all who look on them. Honorable and glorious are His works And His righteousness endures forever.
Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et miserator Dominus, escam dedit timentibus se. Memor erit in saeculum testamenti sui, virtututem operum suorom annuntiabit populo suo, Ut det illis haereditatem gentium, Opera manuum eius veritas et judicum, Fidelia omnia mandata eius. Confirmata in saeculum saeculi, facta in veritate et aequitate. Redemptionem misit populo suo, mandavit in aeternum testamentum suum. Sanctum et terribile nomen eius, Initium sapiente timor Domini. Intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum. Laudation eius manet in saeculum saeculi. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper Et in saecula. Amen. He allows us to commemorate His wonderful works, Merciful and compassionate is the Lord, He feeds those who fear Him. He is ever mindful of His covenants, Showing the power of his works to His people, Giving the heritage of the heathens to them. The works of his hands are done in truth and justice. All his command are certain, Ordained to stand fast forever, Framed in truth and integrity. He sends redemption to his people, Mandating his covenant forever. Holy and fearsome is his name, Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who do his commandments have good sense, His praises will be made forever. Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning and now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Soprano
Samantha Arten (soloist) & Arianna Aerie
Alto
Nancy Bristol & Olivia Roland
Tenor
Jeffrey Ballard & DeWayne Trainer
Bass
Parker Lindsey & Kevin Warner
Baroque violin
Samuel Breene & Celina Boldrey
Baroque viola
Timothy Eshing
Chamber Organ
Sarah Bereza
Chitarrone
Jeffrey Noonan