Pérotin - Viderunt Omnes, Sheet Music + Audio

Pérotin, Viderunt Omnes. Organum Quadruplum. c.1198 CE.

Performed by the Hilliard Ensemble.

Pérotin, a pioneer of organum triplum and quadruplum, was a famous European composer who lived from the late 12th to early 13th century. The most famous member of the Notre Dame School of Polyphony, Pérotin holds his place high among the Medieval composers.

Viderunt Omnes is based on an ancient gradual of the same title (see below), which was previously expanded upon by Notre Dame composers such as Léonin. This organum, thought to be written for Christmas Day, would have retained the same purpose as the original gradual. The cantus firmus, or Tenor, "holds" the original chant, while the other parts develop complex melismas on the vowels.

Viderunt omnes fines terræ
salutare Dei nostri.
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra.
Notum fecit Dominus salutare suum;
ante conspectum gentium
revelavit justitiam suam.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Rejoice in the Lord, all lands.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
in the sight of the heathen
he has revealed his righteousness.

(Gradual for Christmas Day,
Psalm 98, verses 3, 4, 2)