Date:
Late 16th century (c. 1572)
Description:
“O Magnum Mysterium” is a responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas, which has been set to music by many composers over the centuries. One of the most celebrated settings is by the Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria, composed in the late Renaissance period. The text reflects on the great mystery of the incarnation—how animals witnessed the birth of Christ, and how the Virgin Mary was chosen for such a miraculous event.
Discussion:
Victoria’s setting is a masterpiece of Renaissance sacred polyphony, full of serenity and reverence. It captures the awe and wonder of the Nativity through flowing lines, lush harmonies, and careful text setting. The piece opens with the famous “O magnum mysterium” phrase in rich, homophonic textures before moving into more imitative counterpoint.
Other notable settings exist by composers such as Giovanni Gabrieli, Francis Poulenc, and Morten Lauridsen, the latter of whom wrote a popular 20th-century version in a more modern harmonic idiom.
Composer:
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611)
Arranged by:
Originally for unaccompanied choir (SATB); modern editions may include keyboard reduction for rehearsal purposes
Sheet Music:
Available in public domain collections and modern choral editions (CPDL, IMSLP, and published editions)
The arrangement we use is available here as a pdf or musescore file
Parts:
SATB choir (a cappella)
Type:
Sacred choral motet
Language:
Latin
Ranges:
Soprano: up to A5
Alto: up to D5
Tenor: up to F4
Bass: down to G2
Comfortable for most choral singers with moderate vocal experience
Advice for beginners:
Although this piece is harmonically rich and rewarding, its slow tempo and long phrases require good breath control and ensemble awareness. Singers should focus on clear Latin pronunciation, tuning of sustained chords, and maintaining blend and balance throughout. Begin by singing each line slowly to establish good intonation before combining parts.
Sound Files:
Here are some sound files for reference. All parts, soprano, alto, tenor, bass