Harrap's inventive and dramatic setting of the well-known Eucharist hymn text provides a contemporary alternative to more familiar versions by Byrd Mozart and Elgar. In five unaccompanied and often interweaving parts with meandering chromatic harmonies Ave verum corpus is both challenging and rewarding to sing. The motet's striking scalic passages effective word painting and overall contrast …

Commissioned by the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music this short work sets the Eucharistic hymn by Thomas Aquinas. It starts with an expressive rhythmic soprano line and finishes with a calm homophonic passage.