This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Dicunt infantes
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Dicunt infantes by Jacob Handl — Lyrics
Dicunt infantes Domino laudes,
trucidati ab Herode, occisi praedicant,
quod vivi non poterant;
licuit sanguine loqui,
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About Dicunt infantes
In this motet, Dicunt infantes, Jacob Handl sets a powerful Latin text concerning the Holy Innocents. The words describe how the infants, slaughtered by Herod, proclaim praises to God with their blood, a testament to their faith that they could not express when alive. Their very martyrdom becomes their voice, speaking to the Lord in heavenly discourse, for earthly words were denied them. Handl’s setting is for a large choir, divided into three distinct sections: SSAA, TTBB, and AATB. This allows for rich sonic contrasts and intricate polyphonic interplay, as the different vocal combinations respond to and engage with the text’s profound message of sacrifice and divine witness.
