Composer

:

Camille Saint-Saëns

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

String Quintet

Compose Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

3:28

Camille Saint-Saëns composed "Panis angelicus in F minor" in 1872. The piece was premiered on December 24, 1872, at the Midnight Mass at the Church of Saint-Roch in Paris, France. The composition is a setting of the Latin hymn "Panis angelicus," which was written by Saint Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. "Panis angelicus in F minor" is a single-movement work that features a solo voice accompanied by organ. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet elegant melody and harmonies. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with a range that spans from low to high notes. The organ accompaniment is also relatively simple, with a steady rhythm and chordal harmonies that support the vocal line. The piece begins with a short introduction played by the organ, which sets the mood for the piece. The solo voice then enters, singing the first verse of the hymn. The melody is simple and straightforward, with a gentle rise and fall that reflects the text of the hymn. The second verse features a slightly more complex melody, with a few more embellishments and variations. The third verse returns to the simplicity of the first, with the solo voice singing the melody in a higher register. The fourth and final verse of the hymn is the most dramatic, with the solo voice singing a soaring melody that reaches its climax on the word "Amen." The organ accompaniment also becomes more complex, with a series of arpeggios and flourishes that add to the sense of grandeur and majesty. Overall, "Panis angelicus in F minor" is a beautiful and moving piece of music that showcases Saint-Saëns' skill as a composer. The simplicity of the melody and harmonies, combined with the expressive vocal line and organ accompaniment, create a sense of reverence and awe that is fitting for the text of the hymn.

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