21st Movement: Et audivi vocem magnam
The twenty-first movement of the Requiem, Et audivi vocem magnam, is accompanied by a video tour of the Cathédrale Saint Étienne de Metz in Metz, France
Et audivi vocem magnam, like each of the composition's 24 movements, was inspired by the beauty and grandeur of some of the world's great cathedrals and churches.
The Text Et audivi vocem magnam (And I heard a great voice, Revelation 21:3-4) These verses are not included in the Latin liturgy of the Eucharist (Mass), but would have been appropriate as a New Testament reading at the Liturgy of the Word in the Requiem service.
For language consistency in the Requiem, I’ve included the verse in the Latin that would have been heard at the Roman Requiem Mass prior to the introduction of vernacular translations of the Bible.
The Composition Et audivi vocem magnam is scored for 18 violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
Latin Text
Et audivi vocem magnam de throno dicentem:
"Ecce! Nunc cum homines tabernaculum Dei cum hominibus,
et habitabit cum eis.
Et populus ejus erunt,
et ipse Deus cum eis erit eorum Deus: Et erunt.
'Et absterget Deus omnem lacrimam ab oculis eorum.
Mors ultra non erit,
neque luctus neque clamor neque dolor
erit ultra quae prima abierunt.
English Translation
Men: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
Boys: “Look! God’s dwelling place
is now among the people,
and He will dwell with them.
They will be His people,
and God himself will be with them
and be their God.
He will wipe every tear
from their eyes.
There will be no more death’
or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away.”