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Franck: Panis Angelicus

 

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Performed by K. Lee, violin/A. Goodridge, piano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cesar Franck was born in Liege in 1922 and was known as a composer, organist and pedagogue. In 1872, he composed Panis Angelicus for tenor, organ , harp, cello and double bass, and it was later arranged for tenor, chorus and orchestra for the Messe Solonnelle. Franck's other compositions include his frequently performed Violin Sonata, the Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra, other orchestral works, as well as liturgical and organ music.

Panis Angelicus is based on a sacred prayer written by St. Thomas Aquinas, theologian and doctor of the Catholic Church, for the feast of Corpus Christi, which is held in honor of the Body of Christ. Panis Angelicus, or Bread of Angels, refers to the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the consecrated Host or Eucharist which is offered at Mass. This sacred Host is revered by Catholics worldwide as the actual presence of Christ on earth.

The words of the hymn are below:

Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; Dat panis caelicus figuris terminum:
O res mirabilis! manducat Dominum Pauper, servus, et humilis.
Te trina Deitas unaque poscimus: Sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus;
Per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus, Ad lucem quam inhabitas.
Amen.

(Bread of Angels, become the bread of men; The Bread of heaven ends all prefigurations:
What wonder! who consumes the Lord but a poor and humble servant.
We beg of You, God, One in Three that you visit us, as we worship You.
By your ways, lead us who seek the light in which You dwell.
Amen.)