Ponniah, Ben - O magnum mysterium

for mixed voices (SATB with divisi) a cappella
Text: Latin (from Matins for Christmas Day)
Duration: 3 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5
Use: Christmas

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.

Text
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in præsepio.
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!