Thursday, December 16, 2010
Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"
Heard this heavenly, sublime composition on 98.1 KING-FM in Seattle yesterday. Had to head to the station's website to look at the playlist and find out what it was. This is it. Click here to learn more about the composer. Here's the Latin text below with an English translation.
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!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I own the CD. If you can get your hands on it, it's well worth whatever they're charging. Fantastic, beautiful music.
It's on my Amazon wishlist, Chris, in case you're still looking to buy me a Christmas present.
It has been my pleasure to hear this wonderful work several times performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Morten Lauridsen, the composer, is still living, and I have heard him say that creating an apparently simple work is anything but simple and that he sweated bullets for months to create "O Magnum Mysterium". He states that he reads poetry daily.
Escort Rider
I have loved this piece for years now and had the privilege of singing it only once. Mr. Laurisdsen has composed many fine pieces, but none has the emotional impact of this one. It is a heavenly sound! Thanks for sharing.
To my profound joy and wonder,I was astounded to be immersed in and transported by this piece and performance while driving and tuned in to WQXR NY/NJ classical music station Fall Support drive today! Weeping while trying to drive,I pulled over as soon
as it was feasible to research this piece online;on the 4th try I heard this performance & knew it was of the same caliber of depth, passion and interpretation as the selection I had been so utterly privileged to become one with...do what you must - track this one down... I must own this... it is truly not just a performance. It is other worldly.
Post a Comment