Duration: c.4 mins

 

O Salutaris Hostia is one of Ēriks Ešenvalds’ most popular pieces. Originally written for female voices, the composer later created a version for full choir upon which this arrangement is based. It has a gentle meditation with the two soloists drifting across the soft band accompaniment, alternately echoing and imitating each other or joining together in thirds. The effect is quietly ecstatic, a brief moment of adoration and wonderment.

 

This arrangement can be played with either two cornets or two euphoniums as soloists as the accompaniment works just as effectively with either.