Composer

:

Karl Jenkins

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

2005

Average_duration

:

3:22

'Ave Verum Corpus' is a choral work composed by Karl Jenkins in 2009. It was premiered on 25th April 2009 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK, by the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is a setting of the Latin hymn 'Ave Verum Corpus', which translates to 'Hail, true body'. The hymn is a Eucharistic hymn, which praises the body of Christ as the true presence of God in the world. The text of the hymn is attributed to Pope Innocent VI, who wrote it in the 14th century. Jenkins' setting of the hymn is divided into three movements. The first movement is a slow and contemplative setting of the first verse of the hymn. The music is characterized by a simple and serene melody, which is sung by the choir in unison. The orchestration is minimal, with soft strings and gentle harp accompaniment. The second movement is a lively and rhythmic setting of the second verse of the hymn. The music is characterized by a lively and syncopated rhythm, which is driven by the percussion section. The choir sings the text in a joyful and celebratory manner, with the melody passing between the different sections of the choir. The third movement is a slow and reflective setting of the final verse of the hymn. The music is characterized by a rich and harmonious choral texture, with the choir singing in four-part harmony. The orchestration is more complex, with the addition of brass and woodwind instruments. The music builds to a powerful climax, before subsiding into a peaceful and contemplative coda. Overall, Jenkins' setting of 'Ave Verum Corpus' is a beautiful and moving work, which captures the spiritual essence of the hymn. The music is characterized by a simplicity and clarity of expression, which allows the text to shine through. The work is a testament to Jenkins' skill as a composer, and his ability to create music that speaks to the heart and soul of the listener.

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