Veni, creator spiritus for medium voice and organ (op. 103g, 2000)
Medium voice, organ
Duration: 9 minutes
Martin Hummel | Wolfgang Hörlin
Title: Veni Creator for voice and organ - Length: 10 pages - Date: 12 September 2000 - Location:
Schott Music ISMN: 979-0-001-18728-2
Veni, Creator Spiritus
Attributed to Hrabanus Maurus (around 780 - 856)
Veni, Creator Spiritus, Qui diceris Paraclitus, You, septiformis munere, Accende lumen sensibus, Hostem repellas longius, Per te sciamus, da, Patrem Amen. | Come, Creative Spirit, Visit the thoughts of yours, Fill with supreme grace The hearts of your created ones. You who are called Comforter and Protector, Are the greatest gift of God, Life force, fire, mercy, Ointment for the soul. You are the sevenfold gift, The right finger of the Father, The fulfilment of the Father's promise, The preaching tongue. Kindle a light in the senses, Fill the heart with love, Strengthen our weak bodies With the strength of patience. Protect from the enemy, Give peace from ourselves, Guide with foresight, Guard against all evil. You guide us to knowledge. Grant that we may recognise the Father and the Son, and also you, Spirit, so that we may believe forever. Amen. |
The rapid semiquaver runs of the organ - which recur throughout the piece - symbolise the roaring of the Holy Spirit. In between, the text is treated in 7 verses - each of which is based on the meaning of the text. - 2 stanzas use the melody from the year 1000 in a contemporary harmonic guise. This context results in a tension between old and new - which is finally resolved in the Amen of the vocal soloist.
Bertold Hummel