Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:22

Tantum ergo, K. 142 (Anh. C 3.04) is a sacred choral work composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1772. The piece was written for the Feast of Corpus Christi, a Catholic holiday celebrating the Eucharist. It is a setting of the Latin hymn "Tantum ergo sacramentum," which is traditionally sung during the Eucharistic procession. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is a choral setting of the hymn, with the choir singing the verses and the congregation responding with the refrain. The second movement is a solo aria for soprano, with the text "Panis angelicus." The third movement is a choral setting of the hymn "Laudate Dominum," with the choir singing the verses and the congregation responding with the refrain. The first movement of Tantum ergo is characterized by its simple, homophonic texture and its use of traditional harmonies. The choir sings the hymn in unison, with occasional harmonies added for emphasis. The second movement, the soprano aria, is more ornate and virtuosic, with the soloist singing florid melodic lines over a simple accompaniment. The third movement returns to the homophonic texture of the first, with the choir singing the hymn in unison and occasional harmonies. Overall, Tantum ergo is a relatively simple and straightforward piece, reflecting Mozart's early style as a composer. However, it is also a beautiful and effective setting of the traditional Latin hymns, and it remains a popular choice for Catholic liturgies to this day.

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