DONA NOBIS PACEM is from an old Latin liturgical text offering a prayer to peace. The melody is very calm and peaceful. Alfred Bösendorfer wanted to emphasise the pleading character of the text “Give us peace”, so he added a introductory phrase that sounds like a question. Combined with the original melody, this creates a complete musical statement expressing a plea for peace.
DONA NOBIS PACEM is a rewarding song – both for the young musicians and the composer – because its phrasing is wonderfully clear. The recurring main theme (first measure) is ideal for compositional development. It can also beused in a contrapuntal way, which is exactly what Alfred Bösendorfer did, gratefully so as he says, with a twinkle in his eye.
Give Us Peace / Gib uns Frieden DONA NOBIS PACEM is from an old Latin liturgical text offering a prayer to peace. The melody is very calm and peaceful. Alfred Bösendorfer wanted to emphasise the pleading character of the text “Give us peace”, so he added a introductory phrase that sounds like a question. Combined with the original melody, this creates a complete musical statement expressing a plea for peace.
DONA NOBIS PACEM is a rewarding song – both for the young musicians and the composer – because its phrasing is wonderfully clear. The recurring main theme (first measure) is ideal for compositional development. It can also beused in a contrapuntal way, which is exactly what Alfred Bösendorfer did, gratefully so as he says, with a twinkle in his eye.