O Magnum Mysterium | Thomas Tallis, Tomas Luis de Victoria, ...

O Magnum Mysterium | Thomas Tallis, Tomas Luis de Victoria, ... | Pure Ecstasy

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O Magnum Mysterium

	O Magnum Mysterium Thomas Tallis, Tomas Luis de Victoria, ... Telarc, 2000 average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Beautiful Chorale

My association with the text of O Magnum Mysterium began three years ago when I performed Morten Lauridsen's version in a school choir concert. I was in awe of the stark evocative beauty of the text, describing the birth and adoration of Jesus. I find that this work is one of my all-time favorite Christmas pieces, as it concentrates on the religious and symbolic aspect rather than on more secular imagery.

Included on this beautifully performed recording are three versions of this text, the first set by Victoria during the Counter-Reformation in the 16th century, the second set by Lauridsen in the twentieth, and the final set by Poulenc in the late twentieth century. All of these versions vibrate with an indescribable beauty that has the power to leave the listener in tears at its transcendent, soaring melodies, and evocative imagery.

Also included are other religious chorale pieces, such as several traditional American hymns, some lovely Russian pieces, and other brief Tallis pieces, encompassing a variety of nationality, style, and time period. If you are fascinated by contrasting religious pieces or if you, like me, love the Robert Shaw Singers, this CD will not disappoint.

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Pure Ecstasy

Listening to this recording is like sitting through evensong in a small gothic church in the South of France. In fact, it was recorded primarily in the church at Quercy where Robert Shaw held his choral institute and festival. This timeless music stunned me when I first heard it and and cannot stop listening to it. The 12 works collected here span from the 16th century to the 20th century, but the performances, interpretations and acoustics make all of the music sound immediate and contemporary. The title text, translated as "O Great Mystery," is featured in three separate compositions by Victoria, Lauridsen and Poulenc. The mystery ostensibly deals with the the incarnation, but these fresh but timeless, sensitive but vital, performances seem to lovingly embrace both heaven and earth. The words are specifically Christian, but the music delicately exults in the universal dichotomies of temporal and eternal, real and ideal. One is almost surprised to find such intelligent and sincere sacred music being made on the verge of the 21st century. The paradigm of choral music itself seems medieval, especially when performed in stone churches, but with the baton of Robert Shaw these mysteries sound like compelling good news. My hope is that this recording becomes widely heard and deeply appreciated, and given the success of the more narrowly appealing CHANT, there is still hope. One could only imagine what miracles might happen if everyone would spend even a few minutes caught up in "O Magnum Mysterium."

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Beautiful, Peaceful Music!

If you love beautiful, peaceful choral music you'll love this tribute CD to Robert Shaw sung by the Robert Shaw Festival & Chamber Singers. There are 12 beautiful tracks of music on this CD, including Amazing Grace, and Sometimes I feel like a moanin dove. This is a CD I listen to over and over. It's great for meditation or a quiet evening. If you have never listened to Robert Shaw's music before this is a great CD to start with or if you are a collector of Shaw's recordings be sure and get this one. Beautiful.

Last and Best Tribute to a Great Choral Master

You NEVER hear Robert Shaw doing early music. I don't know why! This is wonderful stuff. The first time that I heard this CD was in the basement of the Woodruff Arts Center in Nola Frink's office. She was playing it while we were going through Maestro Shaw's personal effects. I cried the entire way through the CD. The Rach. is inspired. I have heard it several times now and I just die. for those of you who don't know. At the end of the Rach. selection on this CD, there is a bell ringing, IN THE SAME KEY AS THE LAST CHORD. WOW!!!