Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Ave Verum Corpus

Ave Verum Corpus

The motet Ave Verum Corpus, for four voices, orchestra, and organ, KV 618, was written by W.A. Mozart in Baden bei Wien on June 17th, 1791, barely half a year before his death, presumably for his dear friend Anton Stoll, who was the choirmaster there. With its gripping intimacy, it is a hymn that has maintained its fixed place in the liturgy of the Catholic Church to this day. Consisting of 46 bars, it only lasts a few minutes, but the piece can be considered the "crystallization of classical simplicity and greatness".
The four-page autograph of the score came to the former "Imperial Royal Court Library" in Vienna via Ludwig Ritter von Köchel in 1877. Today, this Mozart autograph is kept as a special treasure in the music collection of the Austrian National Library. With its uncorrected notation, full signature, and date at the beginning, this autograph is also a visual gem whose faithful facsimile will appeal to every musician and lover of manuscripts.

Reinventing a Medieval Chant

This short chant is a meditation on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and redemption through suffering. Originating in Italy during the 13th century, it was sung at the elevation of the Eucharist during the consecration at Mass and during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A 14th century manuscript from the famous Reichenau Abbey attributed it to a Pope Innocent – but doesn’t specify which one. In 1791, Mozart transformed the Ave Verum Corpus into a Motet in D major scored for an SATB choir, string instruments, and organ. Many aspects of his famous Requiem are foreshadowed in the work, which begs the question of whether or not Mozart already had a premonition of his death. Despite the drama of the composition, it is designed for the church choir in a small town and this simplicity helps to account for its enduring popularity. The composition was later adapted by Franz Liszt for piano and organ as well as being incorporated by Tchaikovsky in his tribute to Mozart, the Mozartiana.