Elegerunt Apostoli

The Latin text recounts the choosing of Stephen, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who was stoned by the Jews while praying "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." This short, unaccompanied two-part setting for treble voices captures the solemnity and pathos of the martyrdom. The composer Utto Kornmüller presents the narrative in a simple, direct manner, suitable for services where the Propers of the Mass are sung. The SA voicing makes it accessible for younger choirs or those with limited male voices, offering a poignant musical reflection on a significant moment in early Christian history.