Ave Verum Corpus K. 618

Mozart wrote his heavenly 'Ave Verum' motet for a small church choir in Baden in September 1791 just a few months before his premature death on 5th December 1791. Unusualy for Mozart, he didn't indulge in his childish playfulness and finesse - instead creating a deep serenity and contemplativeness, perhaps suggestive of his (it would seem) general low mood at this time.

Franz Liszt, the famous Czech pianist made an organ transcription which I play here.

My approach was to make this a Romantic style organ piece, rather than bring a choral effect out of the organ, (as David (mckindl) did so succesfully not that long ago) hence the launch of the full battery of reeds on the Swell (albeit with the box closed) on the final crescendo on 'in mortis examine'. However I was influenced regarding tempo and breathing by the wonderful recording of the Choir of Kings College Chapel, Cambridge under the direction of the brilliant Daniel Hyde. I think it works really well on the Salisbury Cathedral organ - my favourite English Cathedral sound!

Here's the text:

Ave, ave verum corpus
natum de Maria Virgine.
Vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
Cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
Esto nobis praegustatum
in mortis examine.

I hope you enjoy.