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O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM
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'O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM' IS A RESPONSORIAL CHANT FROM THE MATINS OF CHRISTMAS. AN EXTRAORDINARY, BEAUTIFUL SONG THAT OFTEN BRINGS PERFORMERS AND DIRECTORS TO TEARS. MORTEN LAURIDSEN COMPOSED THE CHORAL ARRANGEMENT, H. ROBERT REYNOLDS ARRANGED IT FOR BAND
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Contemporary band compositions, classical music arrangements, marches, jazz, symphonies, overtures. A collection from bands that I have played in throughout hi
Hello and welcome! "Symphonic Band Performances" is a compilation of recordings from several high school and college bands that I played in including the TMEA (Texas) All State Band, the TMEA Region X All Region Band, the Interlochen Arts Academy National Music Camp, the Cal Poly Tech Band, San Luis Obispo, the USAF Golden West Band, and recordings from my h.s. band, Beaumont H.S. and a few band recordings that were passed down to me. Also included are various All State groups and college and university bands. I participated and played in the large majority of these recordings. There are no professional recordings here and every recording is Public Domain. Most are available for free download. Each song has been converted from the original analog or digital source and edited with Audacity or Dak software. In the majority of these recordings, I play the tenor sax or alto sax, b flat or e flat clarinet, or directing. I was drum major for 2 years in high school, I have a BA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I studied music ed, composition and theory. I had about 500 more recordings I was planning to digitize and upload, but this past Nov. 20th, my home was completely destroyed by fire, and all the contents, including all my music and instruments. So, this is it. Please feel free to post a comment here or on my member page. If you like, please become a fan by clicking "I'm a fan" below.
Song Info
Genre
Classical • Classical General
Charts
Peak #29
Peak in subgenre #1
Author
MORTEN LAURIDSEN, H. ROBERT REYNOLDS arr.
Rights
public domain
Uploaded
March 17, 2010
Track Files
MP3
MP3 6.8 MB • 144 kbps • 6:39
Story behind the song
O Magnum Mysterium is a responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas. A number of composers have reworked the chant into a contemporaneous setting; the settings by Byrd, Victoria, Gabrieli, Palestrina, Poulenc, Harbison, La Rocca, Messiaen, Pierre Villette and Lauridsen are notable. The composer Morten Lauridsen explains the composition of his 1994 piece "O Magnum Mysterium" for the WSJ. The Latin text for the Christmas Day matins responsory, "O Magnum Mysterium," also celebrates the Virgin Mary as well as God's grace to the meek: Zurbaran (1598-1664) is the painter of "Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose." The objects in this work are symbolic offerings to the Virgin Mary. Her love, purity and chastity are signified by the rose and the cup of water. The lemons are an Easter fruit that, along with the oranges with blossoms, indicate renewed life. The table is a symbolic altar. The objects on it are set off in sharp contrast to the dark, blurred backdrop and radiate with clarity and luminosity against the shadows. In composing music to these inspirational words about Christ's birth and the veneration of the Virgin Mary, I sought to impart, as Zurbaran did before me, a transforming spiritual experience within what I call "a quiet song of profound inner joy." I wanted this piece to resonate immediately and deeply into the core of the listener, to illumine through sound. The most challenging part of this piece for me was the second line of text having to do with the Virgin Mary. She above all was chosen to bear the Christ child and then she endured the horror and sorrow of his death on the cross. How can her significance and suffering be portrayed musically? After exploring several paths, I decided to depict this by a single note. On the word "Virgo," the altos sing a dissonant appoggiatura G-sharp. It's the only tone in the entire work that is foreign to the main key of D. That note stands out against a consonant backdrop as if a sonic light has suddenly been focused upon it, edifying its meaning. It is the most important note in the piece. "O Magnum Mysterium" had its premiere by the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the baton of Paul Salamunovich. Widely recorded with thousands of performances throughout the world since then, it owes much to its visual model, Zurbaran's magnificent "Still Life With Lemons, Oranges and a Rose." O Magnum Mysterium has been received thousands of performances and at least 100 professional recordings since its 1994 premiere, making it one of the most performed compositions of the last 20 years in its original setting. The wind band arrangement by H. Robert Reynolds, retired director of the University of Michigan Bands, can claim similar accolades within wind band circles. Of his original version, Lauridsen writes: For centuries, composers have been inspired by the beautiful O Magnum Mysterium text with its depiction of the birth of the new-born King amongst the lowly animals and shepherds. This affirmation of God's grace to the meek and the adoration of the Blessed Virgin are celebrated in my setting through a quiet song of profound inner joy.
Lyrics
Latin text O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. Alleluia. English translation O great mystery, and 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!
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astroboy94
Mar 28, 2010
thanks for your recording of "o magnum mysterium." we played this in the texas 4A all state band last month. i love your music and plan to tell others about it. also, your recording of sym #5 finale is dynamite!
ALEXIS PATRICK
Mar 20, 2010
This song has such a sentimental effect upon me as I listen, Ivan. It's magnificent.