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Josquin based this gorgeous mass on Pange lingua gloriosi, a plainchant hymn in the Phrygian mode. Each polyphonic entrance in the mass is based on a phrase of the chant. This is a “paraphrase mass” - one of three approaches Josquin used as he composed masses.  As he often did, Josquin here writes for alternating pairs of voices prior to bringing in all voices together as a kind of climax. This is one of 18 masses composed by Josquin and is one of the best known.

The tactus is the whole note, and I have suggested the tempo of 72 at which the accompanying recording was made.  In the recording, a preparatory measure is provided on a wood block. The first voice to enter is part 3 Tenor.

There are many editions of this mass and some incorporate large amounts of musica ficta.  I have used it sparingly.  The text underlay is my own; in the days before bar lines, the location of syllables in the original manuscript is purely a matter of editorial conjecture.

Feel free to print the score and parts and also to perform the music.