César Franck - Panis Angelicus

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César Franck’s Panis Angelicus (1872) is one of the most beloved sacred works of the Romantic era—originally composed as part of his Messe à trois voix. Its serene melody and radiant harmonies quickly transcended the liturgy and became a favourite choice for ceremonies, concerts, and sacred celebrations around the world.

This arrangement has a personal history: it waited nearly twenty years before being published. My wife, a professional singer, and I performed it for many years at weddings, masses, baptisms, confirmations, and other meaningful occasions. Over time, the piece naturally evolved into the version you see here.

For better playability, I use scordatura on the two lowest strings, which opens up warmer resonances and smoother voicing. In the second section, the guitar moves into a tremolo texture—not just as a virtuosic effect, but because it allows the guitar to gently echo the vocal line one bar later, creating a soft, flowing musical response.

Enjoy this heartfelt, time-tested duet. :) 

 

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