Composition Details
- Composed by: Santiago Veros
- Published by: contact the composer
- Canadian Work: No
- Duration: 4:40
Performed in Concert
In Collections
Program Notes:
This well-loved Latin text is about what a miracle it was that animals were present at the birth of Christ. This is a dramatic and challenging a cappella setting by Argentinean composer Santiago Veros.
Conductor Notes:
This setting of O Magnum Mysterium is both very challenging and rewarding. With huge ranges of tessitura, dynamics, and tempo, it is more like a landscape than a setting of the text. It provided a powerful high point of tension in our concert and one could tell the audience was engaged in its drama. SSAA with divisi and a soprano soloist at the beginning and end. Not recommended for children’s choirs due to the extreme vocal ranges on both ends.
Text
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.
Translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed Virgin, whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!