O magnum mysterium (2005, rev. 2018)
A setting of the Responsory at Matins on Christmas Day
SATB, organ
Commissioned by Keswick Choral Society
Duration:
4′
First performance:
20 December 2005
Keswick Choral Society, Ian Hare, Crosthwaite Parish Church, Keswick, Cumbria, UK
Scottish premiere:
6 December 2014
Aberdeen University Choral Society, Chris Gray, St Andrew’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, UK
London premiere:
13 December 2014
London Welsh Chorale, Edward Rhys Harry, St Andrew’s Church, Holborn, London, UK
Score
Programme note
O magnum mysterium was composed for my local, hometown choral society the Keswick Choral Society and their director Ian Hare. I had long been attracted to these words, maybe due to them dealing with the mystery and majesty of the birth of Christ, rather then the more run-of-the-mill fayre found at Christmastime. Ian wanted something both easy to sing and with melody so I decided upon open fifths, not just as it gave an evocative soundworld but it meant that no one group of singers was ever exposed. I counteracted this by the sudden stripping of the texture to solo voice for the ‘Alleluia’. The work is dedicated to my Grandmother (who formally sang in the choir and others).
PAC
Recording
O magnum mysterium (2005) by Phillip Cooke, performed by Aberdeen University Choral Society, conducted by Chris Gray at St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen.
