Te Deum Laudamus

views updated May 11 2018

Te Deum Laudamus (We praise thee, O God). Ecclesiastical canticle, or hymn of thanksgiving, the words of which were probably written in 5th cent. Adopted by both RC and Anglican churches. Has traditional plainsong melody, but has been set by innumerable composers, incl. Purcell, Handel, Berlioz, Verdi, Dvořák, Bruckner, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Walton, often on highly elaborate scale for soloists, ch., and orch. as well as more simply.