O Magnum mysterium - Giovanni Gabrieli (1557 - 1612) Latin text with English translation

Gabrieli's O magnum mysterium consistently and classically counterpoises two contrasting vocal choirs while maintaining its elegant proportions. Gabrieli divides his text, which celebrates the lowliness of Christ's birth on Christmas, into three unequal parts; each receives a musical section of roughly equal length. The opening phrase, "O great mystery," is sung three times: once by the first choir, once by the slightly lower second choir, and a third time in climactic full polyphony. The second phrase of text, which explains that the great mystery and "wondrous sacrament" allowed mere animals to see the birth of the Saviour, takes the same tripartite structure, with a temporal broadening into triple rhythmic groups. The composer packs the most text into the third section, which extols the manger and the blessed Virgin; twice Gabrieli cycles the contrasted vocal choirs, once aspirantly starting with the lower ensemble and rising to the heights. The choral antiphony becomes thus not only a vehicle for grand effect, but also serves to articulate the very structure of the text and to embody its sense. The radiant conclusion of his motet comes in a fourth section, an extended jubilant "alleluia." A series of syncopated, triple-meter antiphonal statements gradually gives way to a broad, eight-voiced tutti. Whether the two choirs braved the logistical challenges of physical separation or merely sang in proximate alternation, the effect added great luster to the Venetian liturgy.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• O Magnum mysterium
• Giovanni Gabrieli
• St Mark's
• Venice
• Christmastide

[zencat]

Vibrant!

[loudmus]

We sang this (The Greater South Jersey Chorus) so beautiful.

[oikanys]

Is there a CD of this recording?

[reverlandson]

Indescribably beautiful!

[camillejchecri]

This is one of the jewels of the Roman Liturgy together with the Agnus Dei of Lassus, Litaniae of Beata Virgine Maria of Palestrina and the Miserere of Allegri, in my opinion, and I do not see any on e daring to rank them by beauty.

Camille

[ChelseyLee830]

Does anyone know which organ intonation is played at the beginning?

[1953oriol]

és de lo millor: pietós, plé de llum!

[FRAGIORGIO1]

What a great master is Giovanni Gabrieli!  Splendid composition, worthy of an elevated place in the liturgy of Christmas. Thanks for sharing with us.

[ladidayy]

@loudmus as in Greater South Jersey, is that for older people (as in not high school) because I sing in the All South Jersey Choir in high school

[specialdefect]

This gives me the chills every time I listen to it.

[valeriaheredia]

Wonderful!!

[hamxham]

Can you tutor me for my Heritage of Western Music test over the Baroque Period? lol If what was written in the description is original then you are most definitely well read in the growth of music over time in addition to knowing all terminology. I respect your knowledge =]