Hamma, Sanctus and Benedictus

Franz Hamma (1835-1915) was an organist, teacher, conservatory administrator, and composer of church music. He was born and was active in his early years in southwest Germany (Swabia), but worked for the last four decades of his life in Metz (Lorraine), moving there shortly after the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine following the Franco-German War.

Hamma's opus 8 is a very compact setting of the mass for four male voices, obviously a composition for practical use. The Sanctus and Benedictus/Osanna both put considerable emphasis on the upper tetrachord, the first tenor in the Sanctus residing entirely there after the opening arpeggio. In the Benedictus, the tenor focuses on ^5, firmly ascending only in the final phrase.

References:
  IMSLP page for this composition: link.
  Biography: link.