I am so sorry for your loss.. I too have lost someone very close to me two weeks ago. And it was my girlfriend. The love of my life. At the age of 26

@@scotthopkins9458 Prayer for you both. I am so sorry. 2 Cor. 5:21, Mark 1:15

Namaste 🙏🏽

When I heard this the first time, I was broken. The loss of my son just came flowing up. It is better now, no less beautiful.

Praying for you. May God comfort your heart.

Yes!❤

I love seeing this. I share that feeling.

Amen! The first time I heard this song I was so entranced, but couldn’t comprehend the lyrics. Then I found it and have been crying every time I listen/sing this song ever since. The sound and the meaning of the music is so breathtaking beautiful to be unmoved!😭🥰

Amen!

Good description of hearing this the first time. My first time was the prelude music played at my daughter's wedding. I sobbed my eyes out.

I cry every time. I can’t recall anything more beautiful that I’ve listened to in my life.

Been there, done that. Truly amazing. And the alto is the most fun part to sing (in this alto's opinion...)

Sara Kendrick tenor 1 is pretty nuts too

Agreed. I sang tenor in this and it's quite an amazing feeling that can't be put into words.

I never liked being a Soprano, but I've grown to accept it as it is the Highest

My choir sang this two years ago. I'm a second alto too. The only thing is that it wasn't my choir two years ago so I didn't get to perform it. I really wish I had because it absolutely gorgeous and it would be an awesome experience to be a part of it.

+Ross Goold Buckets of tears.

@John Roberts: Absolutely. Exactly.

Me, definitely. Every time. And I love this recording and tend to play it over and over once i get started. I have sung soprano in this

It makes me realise why we are human. Enough of the materialistic crud that goes on...this stuff is what matters and transcends every day life.

Thank you, that’s how it makes me feel.

Me too

I grew up choral and he's my favorite

YES! Spot on!

I posted this comment 11 years ago, when I was only 18, and I still feel exactly the same way.

Yes, am confident this music is a gift from heaven. I have just heard it today for the first time and I was so moved that I suddenly realised I had tears streaming out of my eyes at the sublime magic of what I was listening to….how I have not heard it before I can’t say but I feel good that I can enjoy it from now on and will encourage people to listen to this if they’ve not had the experience. Powerful and quite spiritual I’d say.

⁠@@michaelodonnell6078It is indeed a gift from heaven! I sang this as a soprano 1 in my choir in Scotland many years ago. Being immersed in the sound and being part of that sound is definitely even more..emotional, transcendent, beautiful…words fail me. And I’m sure you understand! This just is heaven! ❤

I am basically an atheist, but this music is spiritual for anyone.

Your teacher, most likely😉

@@miketausig4205 stole the words right outta my mouth.

😊😊😊😊😊😭😭😭😊😊😊😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nc9lZNyFrreuiJc.html

Luke 2:34-35 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” I can see what brings me to tears when I hear this song now... May the Lord Jesus redeem Israel and the Church, His Bride.

That is an amazing story which will enhance how I hear forever . An old , dying musician who is reduced to his knees at every listening .... the Great Mystery of the Human Experience 🙏

Whats an accidental?

Even if I know I shall never change the masses, never transform anything permanent, all I ask is that the good things also have their place, their refuge. Richard Wagner

Mack Hintze have you listened Durufle's Tantum Ergo? I think that one is also a great Masterpiece and a beautiful sounding song for sure.

This creation gives sense to life. Harmonic beauty gives hope for a better humanity

Brilliant description of.most beutiful sound

Beautifully expressed💞

And those accidentals create the two most beautiful moments in the piece. It's masterful.

Singing that G# was one of my favourite parts of the piece.

The accidentals were my conductor's favorite part of the piece. Mine too, probably!

I never knew this wow! Thank you for sharing!

It's too bad this is all a myth. Virgins don't get pregnant. There are god-man myths all over the world, and the English-speaking world tends to like the Jesus story to which you refer above.

+Abby Wilson We are a lucky, fortunate ...few :)

I think it must be life changing to sing such beauty!

Wait until you hear “Home Is” performed by VOCES8. I confirm it is the most beautiful song in existence

I've just heard it on classic fm. Gorgeous spine tingling. 🥀🥀

tim walker what an amazing honor! That must have been truly awe inspiring.

Or Spem in Alium. Then I'm set

or simple song from mass

Difficult choice. I also rate 'Lo The Full Final Sacrifice' by Gerald Finzi.

Ja też tak myślę!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or O Magnum Misterium by Victoria

Christian's created such wonderful music out of their love of God in the Christ.

@@keithpeterson5127 your point? Christians also called jazz and rock and roll the devil's work

@@austinhernandez2716 Extreme right wing/fundamentalist Christians mostly but they don't like anything that is not based on morality. Don't judge all Christians equally.

I'm the furthest thing from a christian, and I think this is the most beautiful piece of choral music ever written.

@@EternalExodus creatures can’t help but be drawn to their Creator…❤

accurate. this transcends space and time. lauridsen tapped into something divine here.

@@EternalExodus He did indeed.

Haunting beautiful out of this world .

Totally agree. In lesser hands, this fine piece can become lethargic and muddy. These singers felt this in their souls and the precision and energy come through in every note.

Take a listen to Polyphony’s version. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed

Absolutely. I have yet to hear a better version. Especially that G#.

And it definitely helped that Lauridsen himself was at the piano for this recording.

+Leah Duff as a Soprano I, I can guarantee that hearing the altos sing that part gives me the chills. Favorite part of the song!

+Leah Duff f I know exactly what you mean! I got to sing this in highscool, and it was everyone's favorite part, including my own. Chills every single time.

+Leah Duff Something cool that I have heard: This entire piece contains no accidentals except two; only the two G-sharps on the word "virgo," which means virgin. Mary was pure and was chosen to bring Christ into the world, yet she suffered great pain because of it. Aside from the physical pain of childbirth, she had to witness her Son's death and suffering on the cross, which caused her unimaginable pain. Lauridsen said he wanted to highlight this pain in the tension that lies between the Alto's G-Sharp and the Soprano's A. Pretty cool musical concept.

Yes, I'm an Alto 2 as well so I understand how low the most of the notes on this song can be. But, this song is so good!!! :3

We sang this my senior year in choir, and that was always my favorite part. It still gives me chills.

town: I read somewhere that after this piece made its debut in a performance of Lux Aeterna by the Los Angeles Masters Chorale that someone said to composer, Morton Lauridsen, "People will be singing this five hundred years from now." Can you imagine getting a greater compliment as a composer?

On the evening the composition had its world premiere 25 years ago, LAMC music director (the late) Paul Salamunovich explained to the audience in attendance prior to its performance, “Until now, Victoria’s 'O Magnum Mysterium' has been the most beautiful and well recognized setting of this text composed to date. I predict that will change after tonight.”

@@craigtalbott731 RIP to Paul Salamunovich! He was right, so right! This piece is absolute sonic perfection for the human voice. More importantly; it gives voice to the better angels of our collective human soul. If the God's were angry with humanity, and desperate to punish us or start over again; remind them that this piece was written by one of us, and sing it to them; It may be our only salvation. .. poop joke.

+A seeker Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.

+mark kiryluk I am so sorry..

It's not yours to dedicate. (Also sorry about your son)

+Becky Michaca Thank you .

+Juno What does that mean???

Yes🙏🏻😇💞

Fax.

Marie Willet You also went!? The choir I sang with went too! But of course I was excluded because of my anxiety... Nice.

Agreed.

Well said.

Hope you did it at Bishops or St Georges Cathedral with those heavenly acoustics.

Roné Herbst Was daar ooit 'n opname gemaak van julle. Sal dit verskriklik graag wil hoor.

Nelia Henning Sang this at the Potchefstroom University Choir in 2003-2004. One of the most haunting ly beautiful pieces that will forever be with me.

Nelia, so jammer, ek sien nou eers hierdie boodskap! Ek glo nie daar was 'n opname gemaak nie. Die koor het tog wel 'n CD van Rachmaninoff se Vespers gemaak in Afrikaans wat stunning was. Mnr Leon Starker sal kopiee daarvan he**

So true❣️😭

Yours is a very thoughtful interpretation. It is one of my short list favorites.

Let's go one step more.... Lets play this before any needless battle and this should change the violent outcome to a peaceful resolve. No needless bloodshed. Just my wishful thinking for supporting all our brothers and sisters in this wonderful world. Peace always.

Even as dark times follow us into further battles this music is balm for the soul . The soul that persists with a fierce patience and towards a crescendo of enlightenment .

What you said.

Hello - They are singing about the one divine God that all peoples of all faiths and those who believe those who do not believe is so loved beyond all human comprehension - the one God who is so magnificent and so mysterious and who loves all of us peoples on Earth unconditionally.

It’s about the Birth of Christ and how the animals and people should come and see the child and the virgin mother in the manger.

BEN JIM same! I’m a Muslim but I sing this in choir (non-religious choir) and just the voices are so amazing!

Hi friends! Actually, it seems they are singing about something even more amazing and specific. This piece expresses awe at the incomprehensible mystery that the all-powerful God should humble Himself so enormously in two ways: one, to be born as a little child, in our world so poor that even animals may look upon Him, and two, to come to us similarly in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, even tinier, more vulnerable and humble than a child. Especially if you're Muslim, you might not be familiar with these Catholic beliefs as the reason we sing about our minds being blown! The sad thing is, lots of Catholics aren't familiar with them either, or have somehow become indifferent. Thank God for art like this to remind us! 💘 PS. Here's some info, or look up Real Presence and Eucharistic Miracles on your own: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fr9zkqufndKnd2Q.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fq-YaMuD0cjYpIk.html

O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

I always think that, when I hear Allegri"s Miserere Mea ❤

Wilson Bell: You nailed it.

I sang multiple Soprano and Bass parts and I agree, the Tenors have the best lines.

Respectfully, I disagree--the alto II part is truly spectacular. :) honestly, though--I remember talking about singing this with other members of my choir, and we all honestly thought our own lines were the best! Which was not usually the case. :p

This song moves my soul whenever I hear it. I too sang tenor and I always cried when signing this. Wonderful song.

Naaah I was an alto and we have the gorgeous g sharp on 'virgo', we bragged about that for months :')

Alice Sedgwick Alice your too right. As an alto i also bragged about our parts... :-)

I love religious music but I don't think you need to believe in God to appreciate its wonder. I get what you mean though. I don't believe in God but I think spiritual power is certainly created by this music.

Joe Cambo, me too!!!! LOL

Because it helps you to realise that what it's taking about is real.

Hopefully they were misclicks.

So glad you’re home, friend❣️