Jesu Dulcis Memoria
Composer: Henrique Coe
Concert: Nov 9, 2018 (XXIX Panorama da Música Brasileira Atual)
Salão Leopoldo Miguez (Escola de Música da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)
[Reverb added]
Performers: Madrigal Contemporâneo
Danielly Souza, conductor
Sopranos: Aline Talon and Ana Claudia Reis
Altos: Macla Nunes and Lily Driaze
Tenores: Rafael Bezerra de Souza and Guilherme Moreira
Baixos: Lúcio Zandonadi and Antonio Cerdeira
PROGRAM NOTE:
Attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the hymn “Jesu, Dulcis Memoria” is traditionally sung at Vespers for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.
This composition was premiered on November 9, 2018 by the vocal group Madrigal Contemporâneo, conducted by Danielly Souza, at Salão Leopoldo Miguez at the Escola de Música da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, on the occasion of the XXIX Panorama da Música Brasileira Atual.
TEXT:
Jésu, dúlcis memória,
Dans véra córdis gáudia :
Sed super mel et ómnia,
Ejus dúlcis praeséntia.
Nil cánitur suávius,
Nil audítur jucúndius,
Nil cogitátur dúlcius,
Quam Jésus Déi Fílius.
Jésu, spes paeniténtibus,
Quam píus es peténtibus!
Quam bónus te quaeréntibus!
Sed quid inveniéntibus?
Nec língua valet dícere,
Nec littéra exprímere :
Expértus pótest crédere,
Quid sit Jésum dilígere.
Sis Jésu nóstrum gáudium,
Qui es futúrus praémium :
Sit nóstra in te glória,
Per cúncta semper saécula.
Amen.
TRANSLATION:
Jesu, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.
Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than thy blest Name,
O Saviour of mankind!
O Hope of every contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but his loved ones know.
Jesu, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesu, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.
Amen.