for chorus (S.A.T.B.) and orchestra
20 pp. $2.95. Presser Order number 392-01073 (RONA-1)
The
manuscript of the motet is held in the archive of Málaga Cathedral and is in
Sor’s own hand writing. The work is scored for choir with 2 clarinets, 2
French horns and strings. On the cello/double bass part we have the following
inscription.
Motéte al S. S. Sacramen.to / para quatro voces con acomp.to a toda orquesta / Compuesto por el aficionado D. Fernando Sor. / De la Capp.a de Musica de la S.ta Ygyl.a de Malaga / Desde la Octaba de Corpus de este año de 1809 / se estrenó en la Catedral y despues lo regalo su Autor.
The text informs us that the work was first performed in the Málaga
Cathedral on the eighth day of Corpus Christi in 1809 falling on the 8th of
June, and afterwards presented to the Cathedral by the composer.
The text of the motet, O Salutaris Hostia is the penultimate verse of the
hymn, Verbum supernum prodiens, written by St. Thomas Aquinas for the
Hour of Lauds in the Office of the Feast of Corpus Christi. That Sor should
choose to set this hymn whilst engaged as a serving soldier in the struggle
against the invading French is entirely appropriate when we consider the appeal
for divine aid that the words contain.
Full score and orchestral parts are available for rental through the Theodore Presser Co., Rental Department.
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