The most beautiful Vexilla Regis that you’ve never heard…
Today I am pleased to release a gorgeous chant setting of the Lenten text, Vexilla Regis (“The Royal Banner Forward Goes” or “Abroad the Regal Banners Fly”). This is a hymn of praise to the Cross, typically sung during Holy Week.
Transcribed directly from a folio dated 1732.
This edition is notable in that it is a totally unfamiliar melody. There is not a single entry on Gregobase with this melody, nor have I found it elsewhere. (If you know more about this melody, please contact me!) One scholar has suggested to me that this was likely a melody of local usage (ie- particular to one region or diocese). Sadly, without more information about this folio, it is difficult for me to research it further. Rather happily, however, this particular folio contains the entire hymn!
From drop cap to ‘Amen’, this folio has it all!
Since the music is entirely intact, I was able to transcribe it in its entirety. Two editions are on offer: one that is the simple chant, and a second that includes some suggested drones which make for a striking effect.
It’s worth noting that there appear to be a number of errata in this manuscript, most notable in the sometimes uneven neume groupings from verse to verse. These have all been regularized to what appears to be the correct groupings. The final verse (Te summa Deus) also includes an extra beat to shift the emphasis of one of the neume groupings to a strong. syllable. This was retained as it seemed quite deliberate. Elsewhere, an extra beat was suppressed because it is solved by an elision.
We pray that this stunning chant will be of benefit to you and your scholæ!
