Salve Regina
Neil Sands

A setting for unaccompanied SATB of the prayer Hail, Holy Queen (in Latin).

The piece's four sections start with a tranquil and lyrical opening in a radiant A major. This leads to a vigorous and frightening 'Ad te clamabo' - 'To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve'. After this the peace returns for 'Eia ergo' - 'Turn then, most gracious advocate', and the serene invocation 'O clemens' - 'O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary' rounds the piece off in an atmosphere of approaching slumber.