Te lucis ante terminum (The Evening Prayer)

Description

The Evening Hymn, Te lucis ante terminum, is sung at the ‘Office of Compline’, also referred to as ‘Prayers at the End of the Day’. Its exact origin is unknown, although a version thereof was found in an 8th–9th century Irish hymnary. Parts of the plainchant appeared as early as the 6th century.

This composition was inspired by the famous setting by Thomas Tallis (c. 1505–1585) and similarly, finds the Te lucis ante terminum plainsong (festal tone) at its heart. Measures 13–14 faithfully duplicate the opening of Tallis’ second verse, and the rising minor third figure remains significant throughout the composition.