O Magnum Mysterium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROGRAM NOTES
O Magnum Mysterium
Notes by composer
O Magnum Mysterium, commissioned by Marshall Rutter in honor of his wife Terry Knowles, has had several thousand performances throughout the world and dozens of recordings since its 1994 premiere by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. I have also arranged the work for solo voice and piano or organ (recorded on Lauridsen: Northwest Journey (RCM) by Jane Thorngren, accompanied by the composer), men's chorus, and brass ensemble; H. Robert Reynold's stunning adaptation for symphonic winds was recently premiered in Minneapolis by the Thornton Wind Symphony.

For centuries, composers have been inspired by the beautiful O Magnum Mysterium text depicting the birth of the newborn 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.

 

Reviews

Advent of things to come

     The Oregonian, James Bash     November 17th, 2000
Two works by Tomas Luis de Victoria and Morten Lauridsen, which also share a text — the “O Magnum Mysterium” ("O Great Mystery") — show the mystical side of music... Lauridsen's achieves sheer tonal beauty, and has had more than 3,000 performances throughout the world since its 1994 premiere.

Short Takes

     Peermusic Classical     Winter 1996-1997
   Morten Lauridsen's music continues its phenomenal rise to prominence in the American choral world. His choral cycle Les Chansons des Roses and short sacred work O Magnum Mysterium are runaway bestsellers.

mortenlauridsen.com