O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM

• Lyrics (Latin): Nova Vulgata
• Year of composition : 2015
• Durata circa: 6 min
• Composed for Mariano Moruja and the GVD - Grupo Vocal de Difusión (Argentina and for Mark Anthony Carpio and the Philipphine Madrigal Singers
• Score Preview: https://www.calameo.com/read/007450933925e1db6112e
• Audio (MIDI) Sample: https://soundcloud.com/malachevsky/o-magnum-mysterium-eamalachevsky-gvd
• Version: SSAATTB

About the score: On this choral piece I have desired to merge two sources that refer to the same biblical scene: The birth of Jesus. On the one hand the traditional liturgical 'O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM', responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas which a great number of composers of all times have reworked into a choral setting; and on the other hand some selected verses from Chapter 2 of the Gospel according to Matthew.   

The liturgical Responsory evokes with awe the presence of animals that "should see the new-born Lord, lying in a manger" ending with a fervent exclamation to the Virgin "whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord", whereas the biblical text describes the scene of the "magi" who have arrived in Jerusalem "from the east to homage" the new-born King.   Both source combined highlight that outstanding 'MAGNUM MYSTERIUM' of a “God is with us", the “Immanuel“ (עִמָּנוּאֵל), Jesus of Nazareth.

The Magi, the animals, the Virgin, the new-born: My O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM wish to underscore chorally the four presences of this sacred set-up.