Boosey & Hawkes Ave Verum, from Songs of Peace - Todd - 2pt

• Composer/Author: TODD, WILL
• Instrumentation: 2 PT ACCOMP
• Genre: CONCERT
• Model # 48023399

Composer: Will Todd
Format: Choral Octavo
Voicing: 2pt with piano accompaniment

Composer's Note:
The 14th-century Eucharistic text 'Ave verum' has been set to music by many composers over the centuries, no doubt drawn to its vivid and powerful imagery. I first set the words (for SATB choir) for Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School in 2001, but this different setting is the fourth movement of a larger work, Songs of Peace, which was written in 2012 in memory of my mother Iris Todd. The melodic shape should be enjoyed and the larger leaps smoothly joined, rather than separated. When the piece splits into two parts, the melody should come through the texture with the descant floating on top and interweaving, but not obstructing. The occasional optional divisi will add extra harmonic effects if included.

Text:
Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine,
cuius latus perforatum fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis prgustatum in mortis examine.
O Jesu dulcis, O Jesu pie, O Jesu, fili Mariae, miserere mei.

Hail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary,
who having truly suffered, was sacrificed on the cross for mankind,
whose pierced side flowed with water and blood:
may it be for us a foretaste in the trial of death.
O sweet Jesus, O pious Jesus, O Jesus, son of Mary, have mercy on me.
14th century
attributed to Pope Innocent VI