Veni
creator spiritus
for Medium Voice and Organ, op. 103g (2000)
Text attributed to Hrabanus Maurus (c. 780 - 856)

Première:
November 19, 2000, München, St. Bonifatz Martin Hummel / Wolfgang Hörlin

Duration: 9 Minutes Publisher: Schott Music ISMN: 979-0-001-18728-2

The fast semiquaver runs on the organ recurring throughout the entire
work provide a symbol for the effervescence of the Holy Spirit on which
the hymn “Veni, Creator Spiritus” is based. In alternation, the text
undergoes a musical interpretation appropriate to its content in seven
verses. Two of these verses utilise the melody originating from the
year 1000 with a contemporary harmonic flavour. This context creates a
certain tension between new and old which is ultimately dissolved in
the „Amen“ of the vocal soloists.Bertold
Hummel Veni,
Creator Spiritus
| Veni, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita, imple superna gratia quae
tu creasti pectora. | Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with
Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
| | Qui
diceris Paraclitus, altissimi donum Dei, fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio. | O
comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of
life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. |
| Tu,
septiformis munere, digitus paternae dexterae, Tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura. | Thou
in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou,
promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
| | Accende
lumen sensibus: infunde amorem cordibus: infirma nostri corporis virtute
firmans perpeti. | Kindle
our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience
firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. |
| Hostem
repellas longius, pacemque dones protinus: ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium. | Far
from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall
we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. |
| Per
te sciamus da Patrem, noscamus atque Filium; Teque utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore. | Oh,
may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through
endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. |
| Deo
Patri sit gloria, et Filio, qui a mortuis surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula. Amen. | Now
to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou,
O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.
| |