Ave verum corpus, á 5

This setting of the familiar Eucharistic text Ave verum corpus is scored for five voices, suitable for a wide range of choral combinations including AATTB and SATTB. Josquin des Prez's motet is profound and expressive, reflecting the solemnity of the liturgy. The Latin words speak of Christ's true body, born of the Virgin Mary, who suffered and was sacrificed on the cross for humanity. The text vividly recalls the piercing of his side, from which flowed water and blood, and prays that this sacrifice will be a foretaste for us in the hour of death. The composer’s masterful counterpoint and harmonic writing bring a rich emotional depth to these sacred words, making it an ideal choice for devotional services, particularly during Holy Communion and the Easter season.