O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen Chamber Music - Sheet Music

SKU: PR.704296080

UPC: 680160693719.

For centuries, composers have been inspired by the beautiful O Magnum Mysterium text depicting the birth of the new-born 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. The original SATB choral version of O Magnum Mysterium was commissioned by Marshall Rutter for his wife, Terry Knowles, and premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 1994 under the baton of Paul Salamunovich. It has been performed thousands of time worldwide and recorded on well over a hundred compact discs. I have also composed versions for men’s chorus, solo voice with piano/organ and brass ensemble (commissioned by the Bay Brass). A very fine arrangement for wind symphony has also been done by H. Robert Reynolds. Among the finest recordings of the original choral version is by the Dale Warland Singers on the Gothic CD Lux Aurumque and I strongly urge the conductor of the violin/orchestral version to listen carefully to this performance as it captures the many facets of the score brilliantly, including the correct tempo rubato which shapes the overall work. The duration of the performance of this orchestral version should be somewhere around 6’45 —anything longer will adversely affect the melodic arc and interior tempo flexibility of the phrase structures which are rooted in Gregorian chant. Please note that the chamber orchestra version has a reduced brass section (2 horns, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone) from that of the full score (4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, and tuba) and that the parts for the 2 bassoons are not the same in both versions.The fabulous violinist Anne Akiko Meyers commissioned the version for solo violin and orchestra recorded on her album, Fantasia. I extend to Anne my deep appreciation for her magnificent and inspiring artistry that led to this orchestral version of O Magnum Mysterium.—Morten Lauridsen.