EŠENVALDS’ O SALUTARIS HOSTIA

Baltic Choral Music at its Finest

Ēriks Ešenvalds

The Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have a rich choral tradition that goes back centuries. During the Soviet era, choral festivals were even a symbol of resistance to the Soviet’s’ oppressive, anti-religious policies. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the rest of the world has been discovering the glories of Baltic choral music, like the works of the Estonian Arvo Pärt and the much younger Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. One of his hymns is a favorite of Mario Pearson, the principal organist and director of the superb music program atKansas City’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Here are Mario’s thoughts about the piece:

“Ēriks Ešenvalds - O Salutaris Hostia - is a eucharistic hymn with texts by Thomas Aquinas. It contains the last two verses of his longer work, Verbum Supernum Prodiens. It is sung by two soloists with harmonic choir accompaniment. A timeless hymn of devotion, traditionally sung during Adoration and Benediction, it offers a heartfelt plea for salvation and divine protection, honoring Christ’s sacrifice and the promise of eternal life. It evokes the mystery of the Eucharist through a musical narrative that underscores its centrality in Catholic belief.”