O magnum mysterium (Charles H. Giffen)
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- Original SSAT.SATB.ATBB motet
- Editor: Charles H. Giffen (submitted 2011-07-01). Score information: Letter, 19 pages, 253 kB Copyright: CC BY SA 4.0
- Edition notes: Revised 2019-01-13. Please inform the composer of any performances or recordings of this work. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
- 8 voice SSAT.ATBB adaptation
- Editor: Charles H. Giffen (submitted 2015-08-03). Score information: Letter, 19 pages, 212 kB Copyright: CC BY SA 4.0
- Edition notes: Revised 2019-01-13. This 8-voice SSAT.ATBB setting has been adapted and arranged from the original 12-voice work, preserving much of the essence of the latter. Please inform the composer of any performances or recordings of this work. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
General Information
Title: O magnum mysterium
Composer: Charles H. Giffen
Source of text: Responsory to the fourth lesson at Matins of Christmas Day
Number of voices: 12, 8vv Voicings: SSAT.SATB.ATBB or SSAT.ATBB
Genre: Sacred, Motet
Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella
{{Published}} is obsolete (code commented out), replaced with {{Pub}} for works and {{PubDatePlace}} for publications., 2015
Description: The music includes mainly twelve tone thematic but also whole tone harmonic material, both of which lend a sense of mystery and reverence as the music unfolds. The twelve tone material is derived from the following tone row, enunciated first in the alto part, then delayed by three measures and inverted, in the bass part, subsequently transposed in the soprano part and tenor part (inverted):
- et admirable sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
The given markings for tempo are approximate and may be adjusted to suit the performance acoustics. The three 4-part groups may be separated by some distance if there is adequate space in the performance venue.
The text is the full responsory to the fourth lesson at Matins of Christmas Day and hence includes the short Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum that is often omitted in musical settings.
External websites:
Original text and translations
Original text and translations may be found at O magnum mysterium.
Latin text
O magnum mysterium
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
jacentem in præsepio!
O beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare Dominum Christum.
Ave Maria, gratia plena:
Dominus tecum.
O beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare Dominum Christum.
Alleluia!