O Magnum Mysterium

O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM is a brief but powerful piece that I wrote for a small church choir directed by my wife, Patrizia, for Christmas of 2010. It was meant as a gift for these good people that came once a week to prepare Christmas songs. The piece should have stayed in the drawer until the following Christmas. However, even during the first rehearsals I noted that the choristers showed a great enthusiasm in singing this composition of mine. Because of this, during the year that followed, I decided to show it to other well–known choirs. To my great surprise, the celebrated Vancouver Chamber Choir agreed to perform the world premiere of the piece in October 2011. A month later, another excellent Canadian ensemble, the Elektra Women's Choir, premiered the version for two equal voices, cello and organ, which I had prepared in the meantime. Many other performances followed in various parts of the world. I would like to mention a magnificent interpretation of my piece by the East Carolina University Chamber Singers, conducted by Andrew Crane and another one with Calicantus Children's Choir, conducted by Mario Fontana.

O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM is divided into three parts: the first, in a major key, with the four voices that combine, follow, and chase one another to announce the great mystery of the birth of Christ. The second part is in a minor key, and has a darker, melancholy color, and introduces us to the third, conclusive section. The final Alleluja is in mixolydian mode, and has a triumphant and luminous character, but the brief coda brings us back into a more intimate and tranquil climate.

O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM was named the winner of the 2012 Freudig Singers Choral Composition Competition.
In 2013, O Magnum Mysterium was listed as the “Editor's Choice” by J.W. Pepper.

recording performed by East Carolina University Chamber Singers,
Greenville, North Carolina
Andrew Crane, conductor

Click here to see a sample.

Click here to listen to a recording (MP3).