This is one of Narváez’s long variation sets based on a cantus firmus rather than a harmonic-melodic ostinato scheme. “O gloriosa domina excelsa supra sidera” is a is the second half of the hymn “Quem terra, pontus, aethera” (composed by Venantius Fortunatus, 530-609, the Bishop of Poitiers. O gloriosa domina was used in Spain for the fest of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. In the Intonarum Toletanum of Cardinal Cisneros and subsequent Spanish chant sources, the melody is in a clear triple meter that is replicated in Narváez’s variations.

Narváez’s provides a set of six variations. The following table gives details of each variation: the voice that carries the cantus firmus, tempo, texture (voices) and other brief observations

Variation 1
c.f. in tiple
tempo marking – O| (fast)
texture – -- a4 contrapunto libre
observations – exposition of cantus firmus
Variation 2
c.f. in tenor
tempo marking – C| (slow)
texture –-- dos tiples y tenor
observations – faster, CF hidden
Variation 3 --
c.f. in tiple
tempo marking – O| &3/2
texture –--a 2. --
observations – time signature and metre change to 3/2 for the second half
Variation 4 --
c.f. in tiple
tempo marking – O3= 3/2
texture –-- homophony with glosses
observations –
Variation 5 -- f
c.f. “fugado” — treated imitatively in all voices
tempo marking – -- C| -
texture –- a4
observations – seems like a fantasia with intensification due to the increased complexity.
Variation 6
c.f. “fugado” — treated imitatively in all voices
tempo marking – O|
texture – a 3
observations – cantus firmus reduced to half values to make is sound faster. This crowns the entire set.

The cantus firmus below is from Incipit ordo ad processiones faciendas per anni circulum secundum co[n]suetudine[m] alm[a]e ecclesi[a]e Granaten[sis] (Granada: Sancho and Sebastián de Nebrija, 1553) [Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional, M.1208] fol.60v-61r) bdh0000158271