Kyrie
New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra; Otto Klemperer Lyrics

Agnus Dei is a Latin phrase that translates to "Lamb of God," and it is the title of a choral composition by Samuel Barber. The piece is a setting of a portion of the Roman Catholic Mass, specifically the Lamb of God prayer, which is sung during the Breaking of the Bread. Barber's arrangement of the prayer is for unaccompanied choir, and his rendition is notable for its harmonic richness and expressiveness.

The choral piece begins with a slow, mournful chant of the words "Agnus Dei," which is repeated a number of times before moving on to the text of the prayer itself. The choir sings the prayer in four-part harmony, with each section weaving in and out of each other to create a hauntingly beautiful texture. The music alternates between moments of great intensity, as the choir rises in volume and urgency, and moments of calm, when the music pauses for reflection. Barber's Agnus Dei culminates in a final, quiet statement of the phrase "Lamb of God," which fades away into silence.