Reading Hagiographic Motets: Christi nutu sublimato, Lamberte vir inclite, and the Legend of St. Lambert
Catherine Saucier
Two fifteenth-century motets, Christi nutu sublimato ascribed to Johannes Brassart and the anonymous Lamberte vir inclite, are assumed originate from city of Liège on account their common addressee, diocesan patron St. Lambert. This resemblance is matched by notable similarities in manuscript transmission musical style. Copied adjacently two sources, I-AO 15 I-TRmp 87-1, these works share distinct melodic motives similar patterns textural variety. Yet what do texts motets reveal about shared saintly subject? A comparative reading inclite uncovers previously unidentified hagiographic parallels originating late-medieval accretions Lambert’s life, strengthening possibility that this music was written sung Liège. We find tools with which interpret enigmatic references legends miracles related youth, episcopate, death studies literary pictorial hagiography. By analyzing symbolism complementary function equal discantus we recognize how freely composed votive polyphony draws enhances narrative.
Journal of the Alamire Foundation