12th Movement: Hostias
The twelfth movement of the Requiem, Hostias, is accompanied by a video tour of the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in
Salisbury, England
Hostias, like each of the composition's movements, was inspired by the beauty and grandeur of some of the world's great cathedrals and churches.
The Text Hostias (Sacrifices) Most of the Requiem compositions in the repertoire today include the Hostias. Mozart’s is probably the best known today. In the Latin rite, Hostias is by tradition sung during the Offertorium; that is, when the bread and wine for the Eucharist are brought forward from the congregation and placed on the altar. The final phrase of the text ("as once Thou promised to Abraham and to his descendants") is a reference to Genesis 17:9-10. The same verse appears again in the 14th movement of the Requiem, Domine, Jesu
The Composition A string version of the boy’s opening theme also appears in the Afternoon and Evening movement of my 2020 composition, Venice in Winter. CLICK HERE TO COMPARE VERSIONS
Hostias is scored for boys, alto, bass, and tenor choirs; alto and bass soloists; 32 violins, 10 violas,10 cellos, 9 double basses; and a woodwinds section including 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, oboe, English horn, flute, and piccolo.
Latin Text and
English Translation
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine
laudis offerimus
tu suscipe pro animabus illis,
quarum hodie memoriam facimus.
Fac eas, Domine, de morte
transire ad vitam.
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semine eius.
Lord, in praise we offer Thee
sacrifices and prayers,
accept them on behalf of those
who we remember this day:
Lord, make them pass
from death to life,
as once Thou promised to Abraham
and to his descendants.
