O magnum mysterium (2005)
O magnum mysterium (2005)
A setting of the Responsory at Matins on Christmas Day
4′
SATB, Organ
fp. 20 December 2005; Keswick Choral Society, Ian Hare, Crosthwaite Parish Church, Keswick, Cumbria, UK.
Commissioned by Keswick Choral Society.
O magnum mysterium (pdf)
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O magnum mysterium (2005) (mp3)
PERFORMANCE NOTES
O magnum mysterium was composed for my local, hometown choral society the Keswick Choral Society and their director Ian Hare. I had long been attracted to these words, maybe due to them dealing with the mystery and majesty of the birth of Christ, rather then the more run-of-the-mill fayre found at Christmastime. Ian wanted something both easy to sing and with melody so I decided upon open fifths, not just as it gave an evocative soundworld but it meant that no one group of singers was ever exposed. I counteracted this by the sudden stripping of the texture to solo voice for the ‘Alleluia’. The work is dedicated to my Grandmother (who formally sang in the choir and others).
PAC