O Magnum Mysterium (Poulenc)

The text of O magnum mysterium is at least 1,000 years old, originating as a plainchant from the Catholic Matins service for Christmas Day, at least as early as the 10th century. While the exact origin is unknown, this chant has been sung for centuries, appealing to numerous composers who have created various musical settings of the text over the years. An all time favorite is French composer Francis Poulenc’s version from his Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noël (Four Motets for Christmas) (1952). Poulenc treats the text in a typical neo-classical fashion; clarity, balance (note the A-B-A), and emotional restraint (minimal focus on virgin’s womb). The melodic lines are as ethereal as they are technical and may give some of our members flashbacks to our Spring 2024 concert.

The Cambridge Singers

Ensemble vocal Les Métaboles