Nulla in mundo pax sincera
Encyclopedia
Nulla in mundo pax sincera (RV 630) is a sacred motet
composed by Antonio Vivaldi
to an anonymous Latin
text, the title of which may be translated as "In this world there is no honest peace". Written in the key of E major
and in the typical lyrical Italian Baroque
style, it is scored for solo soprano
, two violins, viola and basso continuo, this would normally be a cello and keyboard instrument, in Vivaldi's case often the organ. The text dwells on the imperfections of a world full of evil and sin, and praises Jesus for the salvation he offers from it.
The motet consists of three parts (Aria; Recitative; Aria), followed by a concluding Alleluia. A full performance of the piece takes approximately 13 minutes.
The first aria of the piece was featured in the closing credits of the 1996 film Shine
.
Motet
In classical music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions.-Etymology:The name comes either from the Latin movere, or a Latinized version of Old French mot, "word" or "verbal utterance." The Medieval Latin for "motet" is motectum, and the Italian...
composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
to an anonymous Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
text, the title of which may be translated as "In this world there is no honest peace". Written in the key of E major
E major
E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps .Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor....
and in the typical lyrical Italian Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style, it is scored for solo soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
, two violins, viola and basso continuo, this would normally be a cello and keyboard instrument, in Vivaldi's case often the organ. The text dwells on the imperfections of a world full of evil and sin, and praises Jesus for the salvation he offers from it.
The motet consists of three parts (Aria; Recitative; Aria), followed by a concluding Alleluia. A full performance of the piece takes approximately 13 minutes.
The first aria of the piece was featured in the closing credits of the 1996 film Shine
Shine (film)
Shine is a 1996 Australian film based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions. It stars Geoffrey Rush, Lynn Redgrave, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Noah Taylor, John Gielgud, Googie Withers, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd, Nicholas Bell, Chris...
.
Lyrics
Nulla in mundo pax sincera sine felle; pura et vera, dulcis Jesu, est in te. Inter poenas et tormenta vivit anima contenta casti amoris sola spe.
Blando colore oculos mundus decepit at occulto vulnere corda conficit; fugiamus ridentem, vitemus sequentem, nam delicias ostentando arte secura vellet ludendo superare.
Spirat anguis inter flores et colores explicando tegit fel. Sed occulto factus ore homo demens in amore saepe lambit quasi mel.
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In this world there is no honest peace free from bitterness; pure and true peace, sweet Jesus, lies in Thee. Amidst punishment and torment lives the contented soul, chaste love its only hope.
This world deceives the eye by surface charms, but is corroded within by hidden wounds. Let us flee him who smiles, shun him who follows us, for by skilfully displaying its pleasures, this world overwhelms us by deceit.
The serpent’s hiss conceals its venom, as it uncoils itself among blossoms and beauty. But with a furtive touch of the lips, a man maddened by love will often kiss as if licking honey.
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