Magnificat

The a cappella choir piece Magnificat is based on the canticle of Mary from the Gospel of Luke, and is also one of the biblical texts frequently arranged into music. Magnificat is a hymn, where Mary joyfully praises the Lord’s mercy in the presence of Elizabeth. In different church traditions, it is sung during the evening or morning service.

Pärt’s Magnificat is one of his most performed compositions. It is dedicated to Christian Grube, the former head of the Staats- und Domchor Berlin, who also performed it with his choir t its premiere on 25 May 1990 in Stuttgart. The sound of the composition conveys Mary’s gentle, grateful joy. The structure of this tintinnabuli piece is transparent: the harmony, as well as the melody, moves aro…

The a cappella choir piece Magnificat is based on the canticle of Mary from the Gospel of Luke, and is also one of the biblical texts frequently arranged into music. Magnificat is a hymn, where Mary joyfully praises the Lord’s mercy in the presence of Elizabeth. In different church traditions, it is sung during the evening or morning service.

Pärt’s Magnificat is one of his most performed compositions. It is dedicated to Christian Grube, the former head of the Staats- und Domchor Berlin, who also performed it with his choir t its premiere on 25 May 1990 in Stuttgart. The sound of the composition conveys Mary’s gentle, grateful joy. The structure of this tintinnabuli piece is transparent: the harmony, as well as the melody, moves around a single axis – c – and the melody is shaped by the parameters of the text.