Panis Angelicus

Beschrijving

The words for Panis angelicus are from a longer hymn text, Sacris Solemnis, written by St Thomas Aquinas in the thirteenth Century for the newly established Feast of Corpus Christi, and would originally have been sung to a plainchant. César Franck set this verse of seven lines in I872. His deep religious feelings fashioned a memorable melody, one which is within the scope of all singers - its range is only a seventh and, if you follow the word patterns, the breathing sits comfortably. It is, in its way, simple and direct, but with the chance to use the voice to its full. The Latin words are not hard to sing, but if you prefer to perform it in English, the translation conveys the essential meaning.

Franck originally wrote the Panis angelicus for tenor, cello, harp, organ and double bass, but it slips easily into the keyboard arrangement. The colours of the original scoring are evident - the organ's sustained chords, the semi-staccato notes for the harp and the cello's countermelody (which could be transferred to another melodic instrument if that suits the occasion).

This book contains three versions

• High voice (G)
• Medium voice (F)
• Low voice (Eb)