Tuesday, December 25, 2012

O Magnum Mysterium 

 by Tomas Luis de Victoria

5 comments:

  1. The music echoes the voice of the Mystery. I love the cadences! I admit a bias in favor of music from this period -- music that is supposed to be performed in a cathedral so that we humans can connect with the Mystery.

    And the images! A perfect complement to this glorious music.

    Merry CHRISTmas, FT.

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  2. Merry Christmas to you too, AOW!

    We sang this for one of our Christmas concerts when I was in high school. I agree that music from this period is probably the finest most mystical, totally spiritual expression of Christian devotion Civilization has ever achieved.

    This kind of writing is the most disciplined, highly structured -- and confining -- of all musical styles.

    I love the entire literature, but this does capture the sense of awe and wonder -- and the quiet solitude -- even loneliness -- one needs to feel truly close to God.

    I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

    Wait till Gustav Holst's Christmas Day appears at noon. It's so different. Joyous, almost boisterous, but full of majestic splendor all the same.

    I hope you and Mr. AOW have wonderful day!

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  3. What you have, AOW, would be better described as a PENCHANT or a PROPENSITY rather than a BIAS. The latter has developed a negative connotation that makes it synonymous with PREJUDICE.

    Your instinctive love and "feel" for 16th and 17th-century counterpoint is a wholly positive thing.

    It means you have sound instincts and innate good taste. Not everyone is so blest.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  4. This is sublime, FT. That's the only possible word for it. Thank you so much for the effort you made to help celebrate the Christmas Season. I certainly enjoyed it. You have no idea how many times I've come back to listen to the various selections over and over again.
    Just beautiful.

    Helen Highwater

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  5. Thank you, Helen. I'm beginning to wonder what I'd do without you and AOW?

    Katharine too has been a big help in making these efforts worthwhile.

    As long as two or three care, it's enough.

    ~ FT

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