Friday, July 08, 2011

Pie Jesu - two versions

"Pie Jesu" is a choral delicacy that comes in two contemporary flavors. One is the tender soprano solo from the Requiem mass composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. The other is an equally poignant choral motet composed by John Brunning (a guitarist, composer, and broadcaster for Classic FM, London). Webber's piece has been sung by many vocalists, including Sarah Brightman (Webber's second wife) and the Australian prodigy, Charlotte Church. Brunning's piece has been sung famously by the All Angels group (4 women) in 2007 and by the King's Singers (Cambridge).
If you ask me, I prefer Brunning's choral motet because it has delicious complexity and several shades of light and dark. For those who are just finishing their sausage mcmuffin, "Pie Jesu" (strictly "Pious Jesus") is usually translated as "Sweet Jesus" and is the first phrase in the musical version of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), a communion prayer in the Requiem mass (mass of the dead) of the Catholic Church.
Much to learn, my friend. (Wipe those crumbs off your mouth and drink some orange juice.)

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