O magnum mysterium (Palestrina)

O magnum mysterium (1569) is a six-part motet by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, based on the responsorial chant of the same name, and was written for the celebration of Christmas.

The piece is intended to express the joy and awe that was felt by the shepherds as they celebrated and worshiped the Christ-child in the manger on Christmas Eve.

It was published in 1569 in Rome and formed a part of a collection of motets for five-, six- and seven voices, known as his Liber Primus Motettorum.

Palestrina wrote it for Christmas to express the joy and awe of the shepherds as they celebrated Christ’s birth.

It was specially chosen as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary and to illustrate God’s grace and mercy to sinners.

Lauridsen explained his use of music in combination with text which led to the words being highlighted at important parts.

He explained how, on the word “Virgo,” which means Virgin in Latin, the alto’s sing a dissonant G-sharp appoggiatura, the only note not of the tonic in the whole piece.

While the motet is broadly set in the mode of A Aeolian, this composition can be considered “freely-composed” and is very harmonic in writing style.

All of this creates a piece which feels crisp and clear, reflecting the holy idea of the birth of Jesus depicted in the text.

Palestrina does, however, make use melodic and rhythmic motives in this motet, and uses word painting to exhibit the lyrics.