Carole qui veniens

Johannes de Cleve was a composer of the late Renaissance, active in the court of the Holy Roman Emperors. This Latin motet for SATTB voices is written in a sophisticated contrapuntal style, characteristic of the period. The text is a secular encomium, praising a nobleman, likely Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. It addresses him as 'Carole', tracing his lineage and hailing him as the 'glory of the Archdukes of Austria and of the people of Carinthia'. The composer offers these 'grateful hymns' to his patron, noting that music was a 'concern' of his. The text is a plea for remembrance, suggesting that this music will ensure the recipient's honour and prevent him from being forgotten.