Below is an original setting of Tantum Ergo, which I recently completed. A free PDF is available at the end of this post.
Discussion
While I always strive to do my best on every composition, I was going for as close to perfection as I could with this hymn because it occurred to me I should name the tune SAINT GEMMA after a saint I greatly admire. St. Gemma Galgani was such an extraordinarily holy person that I feel being Catholic is practically all I have in common with her. Hence, this composition had to be beautiful, it couldn’t break any voice leading rules (at least those of which I am currently aware), and it had to be my best effort. Whether I have succeeded or not, such was my intent.
Of course, the Tantum Ergo is a hymn for benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, to Him Who is worthy of all glory, praise, and honor. Therefore, putting these ideas together, I imagined St. Gemma before the Blessed Sacrament. I hope the music paints a mental image of such devotion.
When I began composing this piece, I was working on the Benedictus of a new polyphonic Mass setting, and the composition wasn’t turning out as the Benedictus I had hoped So, I tried to repurpose the piece and see what it could become instead. Soon, I could hear part of a line from the text of Tantum Ergo as I played the piece back. The final product is quite a bit different from that first draft, but it retains many of the original chord progressions. The Benedictus I ended up composing is much different from this; however, I did borrow the Amen from the Gloria of the new Mass setting to use in this Tantum Ergo.
About the Images in the Post
The featured image is from the Musica Sacra Images for Liturgy Programs. The image of St. Gemma is from wikimedia and is in the public domain.
