Easter Monday - And When The Sabbath Was Past

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'Dum Transisset' from John Taverner's Dum Transisset Sabbatum 


This motet depicts the moment at sunrise before Mary Magdalen discovers that stone of Jesus's tomb has been rolled away. Listen to this section of the work sung by The Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips. Enjoy the meditation, listening to the polyphony - musical lines sung by different groups of voices overlapping and interacting with each other.



The text is taken from the Bible, Mark 16:1-2

Latin text:
Dum transisset Sabbatum, 
Maria Magdalene et Maria Jacobi et Salome emerunt aromata 
ut venientes ungerent Jesum. 
Alleluia. 

English translation:
And when the Sabbath was past,
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome had brought sweet spices
that they might come and anoint Jesus [Christ]. 
Alleluia. 

The Three Marys at the Tomb, by MikoĊ‚aj Haberschrack (15th century)
John Taverner is not to be confused with John Tavener - also a choral composer, but who died only in 2013. John Taverner (1490-1545) was an English composer, organist and singer. Dum Transisset Sabbatum is possibly his best known motet. 

A possible likeness of John Taverner in an ornamental capital E.



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