O magnum misterium, by William Byrd (1540-1623)
from Magnum Mysterium: Advent & Christmas music for lute & voice by Mignarda
-
Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
$1 USD or more
-
Buy the Full Digital Album
about
This version of O magnum misterium is from William Byrd's Gradualia (II) collection, published in 1607. Having been published in Protestant England at a time when practicing Catholicism was a very risky enterprise, this motet was most likely intended for private worship in the household chapel of Sir John Petre.
The intimate texture of Byrd's setting transfers particularly well to our format of solo voice and lute, an historically appropriate performing medium for Byrd's music that is strengthened greatly by the large number of his motets that survive for solo voice and lute in the Edward Paston manuscripts (Folger Shakespeare Library Mss V.A. 405-7).
Byrd's setting, originally for ATTB, sets the full responsory text beginning with O magnum misterium, the respond Beata Virgo, the verse Ave Maria, and completed by repetition of the respond Beata Virgo.
The intimate texture of Byrd's setting transfers particularly well to our format of solo voice and lute, an historically appropriate performing medium for Byrd's music that is strengthened greatly by the large number of his motets that survive for solo voice and lute in the Edward Paston manuscripts (Folger Shakespeare Library Mss V.A. 405-7).
Byrd's setting, originally for ATTB, sets the full responsory text beginning with O magnum misterium, the respond Beata Virgo, the verse Ave Maria, and completed by repetition of the respond Beata Virgo.
lyrics
O magnum misterium
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
jacentem in praesepio.
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum.
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
O great mystery
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord
lying in a manger.
Blessed is the Virgin, whose womb
was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with you.
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
jacentem in praesepio.
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum.
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
O great mystery
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord
lying in a manger.
Blessed is the Virgin, whose womb
was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with you.
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.
credits
from Magnum Mysterium: Advent & Christmas music for lute & voice,
released November 1, 2016
Performed live by Mignarda: Donna Stewart, voice and Ron Andrico, lute. Arranged from the original source by Ron Andrico, Mignarda Editions.
Performed live by Mignarda: Donna Stewart, voice and Ron Andrico, lute. Arranged from the original source by Ron Andrico, Mignarda Editions.
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Mignarda Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Mignarda specializes in thoughtful programming illuminating the vibrant mingling of renaissance music & poetry. Noted for awakening modern audiences to an appreciation for historical music, their work encompasses concertizing, teaching & recording, with 17 critically-acclaimed CDs, a series of 16 music editions, scholarly articles, reviews and the internationally-popular blog, Unquiet Thoughts. ... more
discography
-
Jun 2022 -
Sep 2021 -
Apr 2021 -
Nov 2020
contact / help
If you like Mignarda, you may also like:
-
Moments Remixes
by Michael Vincent WallerThere’s a quiet beauty to this remix album of compositions by Michael Vincent Waller, with contributions from JLin, Prefuse 73, & more.
go to album -
Thinking of Blue Almonds Part One
by Lou Lyne & the Blue Almond ProjectSomber, beautiful string meditations abound on the debut album by Oxford cellist and composer Lou Lyne and her ensemble.
go to album -
Ki moun ou ye
by Nathalie JoachimVocalist, flutist, and composer blends traditional instrumentation with jazz-inflected neoclassical arrangements.
go to album -
Diaries: Schumann
by Tiffany PoonComprising 32 takes on iconic Robert Schumann compositions, the emergent pianist's Pentatone debut is a must-hear for classical fans.
go to album -
A gorgeous project that explores the intersections of neoclassicism, folk, ambient and electronic textures.
go to album -
The Seasons Are Not Four
by Alex KozobolisA meditative set of free-flowing piano improvisations from the English/Greek composer.
go to album -
Minimalist modern classical that captures the slowly unfolding beauty of post-rock groups like Rachel’s.
go to album
