8027 O Magnum Mysterium


Giovani Gabrieli (c1553-1612)

arranged by Roger Harvey for 8 part brass ensemble

(4 trumpets, 4 trombones/3 trombones, tuba; alternate parts for horns, lines 3 and 5)

Difficulty: Medium

Price: £20.00

Programme notes:
O Magnum Mysterium was one of Giovanni Gabrieli's first publications appearing in a collection of 1597 alongside works by his uncle Andrea. It is an essentially simple setting of the words but elegantly contrasts the sounds of two unequal groups of 4 voices. Instruments may well have been used to double the voices or, indeed, substitute them. The 2 choirs may have been seperated in the celebrated style of St Marks at the time but it is equally possible to hear the contrast of colour and texture if the choirs are juxtaposed.

O magnum mysterium
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
jacentem in praesepio.
O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Alleluia!

O most awesome mystery
and sacrament divine and most wondrous:
that animals should look and see the Lord a babe newborn
beside them in a manger laid.
O how truly blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy
to bear and bring forth the Lord Christ Jesus.
Alleluia!

Performance notes:
This arrangement may be played as an instrumental item or used to double all or some of the vocal lines. The 2 choruses can be equal in size or the second choir may be a smaller semi-chorus, a group of soloists or even a single soloist on the top line supported by 3 instruments.
All markings are editorial and are given by way of example. None of the dynamics should be over-exaggerated but the style should, nevertheless, be expressive.