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Motet-like settings for the Ulenberg Psalter (Christoph Dalitz, 2016)

In reaction to the Genevan Psalter of the reformed church, Caspar Ulenberg published in 1582/83 a metric psalter for the catholic church, which he revised during his lifetime (1603). This psalter became very popular and was reedited numerous times up to the 19th century. The modern German hymn book "Gotteslob" still includes several of Ulenberg's melodies, whilst the direct baroque language has been revised to suit modern taste, or the melodies have been underlaid with completely different texts.

My settings utilize Ulenberg's original texts of the editions from 1583 or 1603. I have only adapted the orthography to modern conventions for the sake of ligibility. Psalm numbering follows, as in Ulenberg's psalter, the Septuaginta and Vulgata and differs thus by one from some psalms in the Genevan psalter. Links to additional material related to Ulenberg's can be found in the section references.

Psalm 2 (Quare fremuerunt gentes)

Incipit Psalm 2

Motet-like three part setting (SAT or ATB) with cantus firmus in the bottom part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 134

Psalm 4 (Cum invocarem)

Incipit Psalm 4

Motet-like four part setting (SATB) with with cantus firmus in the tenor part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 63 & 120

Psalm 34 (Judica Domine nocentes)

Incipit Psalm 34

Motet-like four part setting (SATB) with with cantus firmus in the tenor part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 100

Psalm 63 (Exaudi orationem meam)

Incipit Psalm 63

Motet-like four part setting (SATB) with with cantus firmus in the tenor part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 4 & 120

Psalm 81 (Deus stetit in synagoga)

Incipit Psalm 81

Three part setting (SAT) with cantus firmus in the tenor part:

Concordances: Gotteslob No. 199

Psalm 100 (Misericordiam et judicium)

Incipit Psalm 100

Four part setting (SATB) with cantus firmus in the soprano part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 34

Psalm 116 (Laudate Dominum omnes gentes)

Incipit Psalm 116

Two part setting (AT) with cantus firmus in the bottom part:

Concordances: Gotteslob No. 393

Psalm 120 (Levavi oculos meos)

Incipit Psalm 120

Motet-like four part setting (SATB) with with cantus firmus in the tenor part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 4 & 63

Psalm 134 (Laudate nomen Domini)

Incipit Psalm 134

Motet-like three part setting (SAT) with cantus firmus in the bottom part:

Concordances: melody and setting identical to psalm 2

Psalm 138 (Domini probasti me)

Incipit Psalm 138

Motet-like four part setting (SATB) with with cantus firmus in the soprano part:

Concordances: Gotteslob No. 428 & 183

References

Text and melody have been taken from the following extant copies of Ulenberg's psalter:

Online facsimiles of other settings of the Ulenberg-Psalter: