Veni, Emmanuel

Program Notes:

A well-known medieval procession hymn, arranged by Swedish composer Ulrika Emanuelsson for 6-part women’s choir. Suggestive, solemn and moving.

Conductor Notes:

This is a very effective arrangement of the traditional melody known in English as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. SSSAAA texture, with a high tessitura for the top voice at points, provides the only significant challenge. Emanuelsson calls this stunning a cappella arrangement, which sets just two of the carol’s verses, a “Medieval processional hymn”.

Text:

Veni, veni Emmanuel!
Captivum solve Israel!
Qui gemit in exilio,
Privatus Dei Filio,

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, veni o oriens!
Solare nos adveniens,
Noctis depelle nebulas,
Dirasque noctis tenebras.

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
nascetur pro te, Israel.
 

Translation:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.