[Publius]

As part of the Catholic Benediction service, the standard Latin hymn is a rather insipid version of ”Tantum ergo”, a poem by Thomas Aquinas. Schubert set it to music in the last months of his life for orchestra and chorus. It’s way better than what one hears in church these days.

At 1:41 there is a breathtaking key change, and the melisma at 2:01 breaks your heart.

Schubert: “Tantum Ergo”, D. 962

[luvie]

Indeed, THAT was not insipid! :)

[ConorMacNessa]

I guess I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you as to the Tantum Ergo, Publius. Trite and insipid it may be, but I've been singing it at Benedictions, Expositions, Novenas and Masses for almost six decades. Along with O! Salutaris Hostia and O! Sanctissima, it is a portal to a time that resonates strongly in my life, the time before Vatican II, the time of the Tridentine Mass, and of course, the time of my idyllic youth.

As much as I love the great Franz Schubert, I will nevertheless cling to the core Catholic hymns and chants that I have used these many years.

Introibo ad altare Dei.
Ad Deum qui laetificat, juventutem meam.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)