Accessit ad Jesum

Pierre de Manchicourt’s Accessit ad Jesum paints a vivid scene from the Gospels where the mother of Zebedee’s sons approaches Jesus with a bold request for her children. The text, sung in Latin, depicts Jesus’s gentle but firm reply, reminding her that the positions of honour in his kingdom are not his alone to grant, but are prepared by the Father. This SAATB motet allows for rich harmonic textures to underscore the dramatic interaction between mother and Son, and the theological depth of Jesus’s response. It is a fine example of Renaissance sacred polyphony, suitable for services or concerts.