Ave Verum Corpus
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
KV 618
Ave Verum is one of Mozart's most famous, and most popular, works. Even today it is still included in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic church. It was written to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi (which was of particular importance in Mozart's native Austria at the time).
History: Ave Verum was first performed at the parish church in Baden, Austria on Corpus Christi day in 1791 (Mozart gave it as a gift to the local choirmaster, Anton Stoll, with whom he became friends while Mozart's wife was staying at a nearby spa during her sixth pregancy). Mozart's autograph on the original manuscript is dated 17th June 1791 - less than six months before his death on December 5th.
Lyrics: The verse itself is from a 14th century handwritten document from Reichenau, penned by an unknown author.
Dynamics: Mozart's original manuscript lacks any specific interpretive or dynamic instructions other than the words "Sotto voce" at the beginning of the score. The dynamics in this edition are commonly used, but as with all music, should only be treated as guidelines.
Click here for the PDF file.
Click here for the learning tracks.
KV 618
Ave Verum is one of Mozart's most famous, and most popular, works. Even today it is still included in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic church. It was written to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi (which was of particular importance in Mozart's native Austria at the time).
History: Ave Verum was first performed at the parish church in Baden, Austria on Corpus Christi day in 1791 (Mozart gave it as a gift to the local choirmaster, Anton Stoll, with whom he became friends while Mozart's wife was staying at a nearby spa during her sixth pregancy). Mozart's autograph on the original manuscript is dated 17th June 1791 - less than six months before his death on December 5th.
Lyrics: The verse itself is from a 14th century handwritten document from Reichenau, penned by an unknown author.
Dynamics: Mozart's original manuscript lacks any specific interpretive or dynamic instructions other than the words "Sotto voce" at the beginning of the score. The dynamics in this edition are commonly used, but as with all music, should only be treated as guidelines.
Click here for the PDF file.
Click here for the learning tracks.