I just heard this on the radio and was moved to tears. The Spirit is so strong in this piece of music. Thank you for sharing. So beautiful and ethereal.
My humble thanks to the thousands of workers who constructed that amazing building, and to the dozens of voices that make its walls ring, and to the single composer who inspired this performance.
"Oh Great Mystery and wonderful sacrament that animals should see the new born Lord laying in a manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ The Lord. Alleluia"
O Magnum Mysterium (O Great Mystery & Wonderful Sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a Manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia - English translation). A very happy Christmas to you.
Morten Lauridsen: American living composer .... isn't it marvellous to learn new things like this ? ... There's no end to marvels awaiting us, and all around us ...
I'm inspired. It reflects a contemporary style of composition. When sung by Kings College, however, it is enveloped into the shroud of antiquity, beautifully.
For more about Morten Lauridsen and his music, see 'Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauriden', "a heartening rarity" (Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal), winner of three Best Documentary awards, DVD available at www.shiningnightfilm.net A National Medal of Arts recipient, Morten Lauridsen is recognized as the most-performed American choral composer. www.mortenlauridsen.net
O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. Alleluia.
It is too difficult and complex for most local parish choirs to sing, sadly. The first time we rehearsed it in the Pacific Chorale, I wept. Stunningly beautiful.
Something peculiar happens at 3:53 in one of the middle voice parts. Where the part should go la la sol, instead, someone descends by half steps, la le sol. It's not written that way and I've never heard it anywhere else. Oh well...
There are many settings of this text -- my favorite has always been the Tomas Luis de Vittoria. This is, I believe, just as intimate and ravishing, and that is saying a very great deal.
This sounds like a 20th century (in fact quite quite recent) arrangement. Whether based on an ancient melody, or newly composed, hard to say. The latter I suspect. Anyone know?
As a chorister I wish we could sing this lovely hymn, however, it is much too complex for any choir other than a cathedral with professional singers. That's why you are unlikely to hear it very often.
Yes; beautiful singing, poise, understanding of phrasing, words, the music of Lauridsen etc; but why, after 60 years of FM, Stereo, Dolby and every analogue medium meant to improve it, does this digital sound seem so awful?? (perverse marketing is the answer, the same rreason the Old Radio 3 has disappeared.......)
