O magnum mysterium

03:04 duration|Composed in 2013|Published by Boosey & Hawkes|Difficulty: Intermediate|First performed: April 2014

O magnum mysterium was written in 2013 and is dedicated to Dawn Herbert, the composer’s ex-wife and the mother of his son, Reginald. It was written while staying at her family’s farm in Cambridgeshire. Unintentionally, the wide open spaces infused Ben Ponniah’s writing. This work uses the following 7-note scale: G, A, Bb, C, D, E and F#. Only these notes are used throughout the piece and the scale is derived from Scriabin’s ‘Mystic Chord’. The uncertain and unresolved tonality, therefore, reflects the mystery surrounding the miraculous birth of Jesus, as well as Ponniah’s own personal doubts and wonder.

Score video of O magnum mysterium

Score video of O magnum mysterium

Text

O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio.
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Alleluia!

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

Words from Matins for Christmas Day