The first is San Fran… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists that go by Chanticleer.
The first is San Francisco-based ensemble known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from countertenor to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. Called “the world's reigning male chorus,” by The New Yorker, and named 2008 Ensemble of the Year by Musical America, Chanticleer will perform more than 100 concerts in 2013-14, the Grammy Award-winning ensemble’s 36th Season. Praised by The San Francisco Chronicle for their “tonal luxuriance and crisply etched clarity,” Chanticleer will tour to 21 of the United States and 12 foreign countries this season, including appearances at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, New York's St. Ignatius Loyola, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Vienna's Musikverein, and Prague's Rudolfinum In 2009, Chanticleer made debut appearances in Ireland and the People's Republic of China and will return to the latter in June for Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
The second is Salt Lake City indie folk artist Andrew Shaw, who also heads a band, The Adonis.
O magnum mysterium
Chanticleer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.
The Latin lyrics of Chanticleer's song O magnum mysterium express the awe and wonder of the mystery of Christmas. The first line translates to "O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a manger!" The song emphasizes the miraculous and unexpected nature of Jesus' birth, with animals bearing witness to the arrival of the Son of God. The second line pays tribute to Mary, the Virgin Mother who bore the Christ Child in her womb, reflecting her profound role in the incarnation. The final line simply translates to "Alleluia," expressing praise and thanksgiving for this divine gift.
Line by Line Meaning
O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in praesepio!
Oh great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals saw the new born Lord lying in a manger!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum.
Blessed virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Christ.
Alleluia.
Praise the Lord.
Writer(s): Tomas Luis de Victoria, Parker, Shaw
Contributed by Mackenzie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mannylucci
This piece of music changed my life when my high school choir sang it. As a singer it is so challenging and intricate. To me it contains magic and love and forgiveness and optimism. And sooooo much reverence and praise. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Phoebe Grigg
I love this, and the meaning of it too: O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
Lizzie Longenecker
Chanticleer came to our high school and they were amazing. We also sang this in our choir, and it's one of my favorite choral pieces. Thank you for posting!!
pursehappygal
I've never heard of this group. This is absolutely breathtaking .Thank you very much for sharing.
Captain Nemo
pursehappygal really? They are considered one of the best choral groups in the USA
Jessica Shackle
My chamber choir group sang this song, and I absolutely loved it. Still love this piece. It is absolutely beautiful
Francois Botha
I sang this when I was 12 years old (1990) in a children's choir. It sure brings back memories.
Mary Aikens
I borrowed a Chanticleer Christmas music CD from the library and thoroughly enjoyed it... I really enjoyed this particular song - "O Magnum Mysterium" .
It brought back some very fond memories of singing it in a college choir as
well as hearing it being sung during a Christmas Eve midnight mass at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Mobile, Alabama.
Briggsie
It's one of the most beautiful pieces ever composed. They've done a lot of work to get it right. I like it.
Vartan Aghababian
Not for nothing, but this piece of music is a masterwork from the Spanish Renaissance by Tomas Luis de Victoria -- it would be awesome if you (yes, DCanadian3 -- you!) would provide credit to the composer in this posting and and at the same time inform and educate the general public as to the source of this gorgeousness -- Chanticleer sings it (and does so to perfection) but there would be no "O Magnum Mysterium" for them to sing or for you to post or for us to hear here without de Victoria's brilliant creation.