Sounds of Faith: Media Vita by Henry Dumont

In this “Sounds of Faith” video, the Chapel's Dr. Philip Cave, associate conductor for Chapel Music, explores the motet Media vita by the baroque composer Henry Dumont. The recording comes from a Choral Vespers service on October 10, 2019, led musically by the Duke Vespers Ensemble.

Dr. Cave explains that this motet, with its Latin words, was "sung as a hymn to ask for God’s aid in times of public need."

"In that way, this music can speak quite powerfully to us now, in our time of public need," he says, "and as we move from Lent through Holy Week."

Watch the motet sung in its entirety.

Watch more Sounds of Faith video reflections.