Veni Domine

Use: Advent
Required Resources: SATB choir
Language: Latin

Veni Domini by Aurelio Porfiri sets the Latin text for the Magnificat antiphon of Evening Prayer I (First Vespers) of the Second Sunday of Advent:

Veni Domini visitare nos in pace,
ut lætemur coram te corde perfecto.

Come to us, Lord, and may your presence be our peace;
with hearts made perfect we shall rejoice in your companionship for ever.

The music, neo-Renaissance in style, is rhythmically free, alternating subtle groups of 4, 5, and 6 beats. If your choir is comfortable with the motets of Palestrina and Tallis, this motet is a good way to stretch their singing just a little bit. The Renaissance elements are definitely present, but the composer (organist for the papal audiences at the Vatican) has incorporated his own style and perspective. This is good choral writing on a timeless liturgical text.

In addition to its most obvious use in Advent, it could also possibly be scheduled for January 1st (when World Day of Peace is celebrated), for a votive Mass for Peace and Justice, or for other general use.

Aurelio Porfiri is Music Director at The Church of Santa Susanna, the American Church in Rome, where he directs the Santa Susanna Singers. Currently, Signor Porfiri is assistant organist in the Vatican City Vicariate at Saint Peter's Basilica where he is in charge of the Holy Father's weekly audience. Previous positions in Rome included the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, the Church of Santa Maria dell'Orto and the Basilica of San Crisogono in Trastevere.

Signor Porfiri is a composer of considerable renown. His works have been commissioned and sung for the liturgical programs of Vatican Radio. As a composer, we writes in a wide range of forms, including oratorios, Masses, motets and hymns in Italian and English.