Respond: O Magnum Mysterium
Sheet Music

SATB choir, a cappella - Medium Difficult

SKU: PL.M00014

Composed by Randall Giles. Parish. Choral, Advent, Chant, Christmas. Choral octavo. Published by Paraclete Press (PL.M00014).

Here is a graceful and effective setting of this famous Advent text. Dr. Giles creates an atmosphere of mystery by his use of close intervals and repeated melodic fragments. There is much use of the Gregorian chant here, both unadorned and developed in the choral writing. The concluding "Alleluia" with its wide intervals and harmonic changes communicates the premonition of Christ's suffering and death. This would be especially effective as an anthem for Advent or carol concert.

The chromaticism of the Alleluia is a moment of transcendent beauty. Those who can sing this music should. - AAM Journal.