Of the Father's Love Begotten

Use: Advent, Christmastide
Required Resources: SATB choir
Language: English

Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, a Spanish nobleman who wrote religious poetry, penned Corde natus ex parentis in the 5th century. One commentator remarks:

There was a cosmic quality to this birth, an eternal element, an ingredient that defies reason and logic. And this begetting occurred before the world was created!

Using the English translation by John Mason Neale, Michael Cox has added a new melody, which he harmonizes in this motet. The ranges, while fairly broad (about an octave for altos, and octave and a fourth for everyone else) are pitched rather low, enhancing the dark and mysterious quality of this text.

Used for a late Advent or early Christmas Mass, this setting would easily capture the flavor of the season. The vocal writing is impeccable — Dr. Cox knows the choir well!

Scored for SATB choir, a cappella, we have published it on open score for ease of reading for the singers, and have included a piano reduction for rehearsal.

Michael Cox is Professor of Music Theory and Composition at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a well-published composer, with many premieres of his works taking place in Texas and Oklahoma.