Gabrielli - O Magnum Mysterium

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O Magnum Mysterium – Giovanni Gabrielli 1557 - 1612
Sung by ‘Viva la Musica’, East Midlands Chamber Choir

Website: 📶https://www.vivalamusica.org.uk/ (contact us at [email protected])
Conducted by Simon Lumby 📶https://www.simonlumby.co.uk/

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[Recorded live in Trinity Methodist Church, Loughborough – January 2025]

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Just as many European composers beat a trail to Venice to study with the renowned musicians there, the Venetian Giovanni Gabrieli’s earliest studies were with his uncle Andrea, at St Mark’s, before he travelled north to Munich to learn from the esteemed and influential Lassus. Returning to Venice, he was appointed to St Mark’s as organist and subsequently, following his uncle’s death, as principal composer. Giovanni’s first collection of motets was published in 1587, with a touching dedication to the elder Andrea, to whom he described himself as ‘little less than a son’. O magnum mysterium comes from this collection, scored for two unequal choirs. The sense of quiet, reverential awe suggests a real proximity to the Christ-child in the manger, giving way to a modest joy in the ‘alleluias’.

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Text:

O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
iacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Iesum Christum.
Alleluia!

Translation

O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!