Tomas Luis de Victoria: O Magnum Mysterium A Cappella

SKU: CY.CC2372

Tomas Luis de Victoria was the most famous composer of the 16th century in Spain, and one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. Victoria was not only a composer, but also an accomplished organist and singer. However, he preferred the life of a composer to that of a performer. He is sometimes known as the Spanish Palestrina because he may have been taught by Palestrina.

O Magnum Mysterium is a 4 part a cappella motet written in Latin for the Catholic Church service and is performed mostly around the Christmas period as the text refers to the great mystery of the Virgin birth, animals and baby Jesus in the manger. This work was written during the composer's stay in Rome and has some of Palestrina's influence.

Dr. Converse has done a beautiful job of transcribing one of the most beautiful sacred choral works of the Renaissance period.

SKU: CY.CC2894

Victoria's rich, mysterious and serene 4-part Renaissance Christmas motet, O Magnum Mysterium was written in 1572. The composer intended it to be sung at another service later in the year. It has become a Christmas tradition for many choirs.
Andrew Converse has arranged this beautiful 4-minute work of moderate difficulty for Brass Quartet of 2 Trumpets in B-flat and 2 Trombones. An additional Horn substitute for the Trombone I part has been included as well.