Attende Domine 4-Part - Sheet Music

SKU: C5.4207

Attende Domine is one of the most famous Lenten chant hymns. Its Latin has roots in the 10th century and one of the popular English translations reads: "Draw near, O Lord, our God, graciously hear us; guilty of sinning before Thee." The composer has arranged this for SATB choir and organ, with optional congregation on the refrain. This format makes it ideal as a Communion processional, since the people can sing the familiar refrain without music, the choir and organ supplying the verses. Verse textures are varied: Verse 1 - Unison sopranos, other voices entering in unison, and breaking into harmony on the last two measures / Verse 2 - Unison altos, tenor and bass entering in unison, and breaking into harmony on the last two measures / Verse 3 - Melody in unison TB line, with S and A adding harmonies above / Verse 4 - Melody in unison SA line, with T and B adding harmonies below / Verse 5 - Unison beginning, breaking into four parts in the third measure. Refrain II, sung after Verses 3, 4 and 5, adds a soprano descant over choral harmonies. A choral Amen, sung after the final refrain, brings the piece to a close. The chant melody sounds like D Major to our modern ears, but Koraus deftly peppers his choral harmonies with C-natural, introducing a welcome modal flavor (Dorian, in this case) to the work. His writing shows a beautifully modern take on chant, very reminiscent of Maurice Durufle.