commentary to opus 97d

Veni creator spiritus Motet based on the Gregorian hymn for two mixed choirs (SATB/SATB) and organ op. 97d (1992)

First performance : june 7, 1992, Würzburg, Kiliansdom
Würzburger Domsingknaben / Andreas Boltz (organ) / Siegfried Koesler

Japanese first performance: february 19, 1996, Tokyo, Casals Hall
Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus / Wolfdieter Maurer

Duration: 4 Minutes

This most famous of Pentecost hymns is attributed to the great hymn author and most respected theologian of his day, the Benedictine Abbot of Fulda and Archbishop of Mainz, Hrabanus Maurus (780-856). The earliest known example is from around 1000 in the Kempten Hymnal. The hymn is written in the so-called Ambrosian verse form and is part of the morning and evening praise of the Church.

My composition for two choirs and organ retains the hymn melody in all stanzas. The composition takes on a different ambient in stanzas 5 and 6 respectively. The return of the first line of the hymn in these stanzas gives them their particular character as far as the extended "Amen", which finds its way back to the original close of the hymn.
The choirs should take up clearly separated positions:

Bertold Hummel

Printing errors in any first editions by Feuchtinger & Gleichauf:

3rd stanza (p. 2), bar 4, beats 4, 5 and 6: in each case e-flat instead of e! (Choir II and Organ). Page 7: 6th stanza