Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
VOCES8 performs 'O Salutaris Hostia' by Ēriks Ešenvalds in the VOCES8 Centre in London.
Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of Latvia’s most celebrated contemporary composers, known for choral works that combine radiant harmony with spiritual resonance. This work sets the ancient Eucharistic hymn by St Thomas Aquinas, a prayer that asks Christ, the “saving victim,” to strengthen believers in their struggles.
Ešenvalds’ setting is striking in its simplicity and beauty: long, arching soprano lines soar above luminous choral textures, gradually unfolding to a moment of ecstatic intensity before returning to quiet devotion. In just a few minutes, the piece captures both the intimacy of prayer and the transcendence of faith.
TEXT
O salutaris hostia,
Quæ cæli pandis ostium:
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.
Uni trinoque Domino,
Sit sempiterna gloria,
Qui vitam sine termino,
Nobis donet in patria.
Amen.
TRANSLATION
O saving victim,
Who opens the gate of heaven:
Hostile wars press upon us,
Give strength, bring aid.
To the one and triune Lord,
May there be eternal glory,
Who gives us life without end,
In our heavenly homeland.
Amen.
Video & audio produced by Barnaby Smith
Cameras: Barnaby Smith, Aytan Buyukoglu, James Taylor, Harry Mobbs
----
VOCES8 is the no. 1 streamed classical vocal ensemble in the world. Through the VOCES8 Foundation, it runs an innovative and wide reaching education programme reaching 50,000 participants every year, with an aim to inspire people through music.
Become a member of the VOCES8 channel for exclusive performances, behind the scenes moments and early access to new releases 👉bit.ly/4bAwaNA
Subscribe to VOCES8 YouTube channel 👉 bit.ly/43Xg38H
Follow VOCES8 on:
VOCES8 Website voces8.com
VOCES8 Foundation Website https://www.voces8.foundation
Donate to the VOCES8 Foundation 👉 bit.ly/4or0UDO
Facebook facebook.com/VOCES8
Instagram instagram.com/voces8
TikTok tiktok.com/@voces8official
VOCES8 performs 'O Salutaris Hostia' by Ēriks Ešenvalds in the VOCES8 Centre in London.
Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of Latvia’s most celebrated contemporary composers, known for choral works that combine radiant harmony with spiritual resonance. This work sets the ancient Eucharistic hymn by St Thomas Aquinas, a prayer that asks Christ, the “saving victim,” to strengthen believers in their struggles.
Ešenvalds’ setting is striking in its simplicity and beauty: long, arching soprano lines soar above luminous choral textures, gradually unfolding to a moment of ecstatic intensity before returning to quiet devotion. In just a few minutes, the piece captures both the intimacy of prayer and the transcendence of faith.
TEXT
O salutaris hostia,
Quæ cæli pandis ostium:
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.
Uni trinoque Domino,
Sit sempiterna gloria,
Qui vitam sine termino,
Nobis donet in patria.
Amen.
TRANSLATION
O saving victim,
Who opens the gate of heaven:
Hostile wars press upon us,
Give strength, bring aid.
To the one and triune Lord,
May there be eternal glory,
Who gives us life without end,
In our heavenly homeland.
Amen.
Video & audio produced by Barnaby Smith
Cameras: Barnaby Smith, Aytan Buyukoglu, James Taylor, Harry Mobbs
----
VOCES8 is the no. 1 streamed classical vocal ensemble in the world. Through the VOCES8 Foundation, it runs an innovative and wide reaching education programme reaching 50,000 participants every year, with an aim to inspire people through music.
Become a member of the VOCES8 channel for exclusive performances, behind the scenes moments and early access to new releases 👉bit.ly/4bAwaNA
Subscribe to VOCES8 YouTube channel 👉 bit.ly/43Xg38H
Follow VOCES8 on:
VOCES8 Website voces8.com
VOCES8 Foundation Website https://www.voces8.foundation
Donate to the VOCES8 Foundation 👉 bit.ly/4or0UDO
Facebook facebook.com/VOCES8
Instagram instagram.com/voces8
TikTok tiktok.com/@voces8official
