O Magnum Mysterium
SATB choral score
PEL2075-Choir Unaccompanied
A WORK FOR SATB CHOIR UNACCOMPANIED
A rich and atmospheric setting of the text from the Matins Responsory for Christmas. For SATB choir unaccompanied (some divisi). The lyrical melody has Eastern overtones and nuances, very appropriate to the text. Mystery and wonder evoked in music.
Commissioned for The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC, Michael Gormley, Director of Music
Video
Notes
'O Magnum Mysterium', comp. Halley, performed by The Chapel Choir of The University of King's College, Halifax, at "A King's Christmas 2015", starts at 01:00:30
Texts
O Magnum Mysterium
Words Matins Responsory - Christmas
Music: Paul Halley (1952 - )
Latin Text:
O magnum mysterium
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio.
O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Alleluia!
English Translation:
O great mystery,
and wondrous sacrament,
that animals should see the Lord,
new-born, lying in their manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia
Reviews
And the 'O Magnum Mysterium'...superlatives escape me." - I. Wilkinson
"Everyone on the planet should hear your 'Magnum'. It is the best hope that the world has." - Fr. G. Thorne
