Ecce prandium

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, a significant composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque, wrote this SSATB motet. Ecce prandium is a sacred work in Latin, drawing its text from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 22, verses 4 and 7. The lyrics invite listeners to the wedding feast, proclaiming that preparations are complete and urging them to partake in the prepared food and wine. The motet is a fitting example of eucharistic music, with its solemn yet celebratory tone, urging the faithful to approach the sacrament. Sweelinck's skillful handling of the five-part choir ensures a rich and sonorous texture, ideal for devotional settings and advanced choral ensembles.