This edition was prepared by Pothárn Imre — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
In principio erat verbum
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
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In principio erat verbum by Orlando di Lasso — Lyrics
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος,
καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν,
καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.
Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.
πάντα δι αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο,
καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν ὃ γέγονεν.
ἐν αὐτῷ ζωὴ ἦν,
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἦν τὸ φῶς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
καὶ τὸ φῶς ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ φαίνει,
καὶ ἡ σκοτία αὐτὸ οὐ κατέλαβεν.
Ἐγένετο ἄνθρωπος, ἀπεσταλμένος παρὰ Θεοῦ, ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἰωάννης· οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν,
ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός,
ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι αὐτοῦ.
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About In principio erat verbum
This majestic setting by Orlando di Lasso of the opening of the Gospel of John, beginning "In principio erat verbum", offers a profound musical interpretation of the Prologue. The text, a foundational passage in Christian theology, speaks of the divine Logos, the light of humanity, and its coming into the world. Di Lasso’s SSATTB voicing masterfully captures the gravitas and theological weight of the Greek and Latin text, creating a rich and sonorous sound world. This motet is ideal for services during Advent, Christmas, or Epiphany, or as a standalone contemplative work, allowing the choir to explore the deep spiritual and musical currents of this ancient text.
