Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Nico Muhly
O Antiphon Preludes (2010)
- St. Rose Music Publishing (World)
For James McVinnie
Programme Note
Each prelude is based on each of the Seven Great O Antiphons for Advent:
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
O Radix Jesse, qui stas insignum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
O Radix Jesse, qui stas insignum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
Media
Scores
Preview the score
Reviews
The preludes themselves are
exquisite reliefs growing out of the
original chant melodies, each with its
character suggested by the text of the
corresponding antiphon. The entire
text is printed at the front of the score
in Latin only. This music delights in
sonorities, uses the most economical
of means to make a statement, and
has the transparency and delicacy of
texture of a great stained-glass window.
I recommend these pieces
very highly. Among other things, they
would make the perfect prelude to a
service of Advent Lessons and Carols.
We should be grateful that a young
composer of Muhly’s stature enjoys
composing for the organ and choirs,
and encourage him to write more.
exquisite reliefs growing out of the
original chant melodies, each with its
character suggested by the text of the
corresponding antiphon. The entire
text is printed at the front of the score
in Latin only. This music delights in
sonorities, uses the most economical
of means to make a statement, and
has the transparency and delicacy of
texture of a great stained-glass window.
I recommend these pieces
very highly. Among other things, they
would make the perfect prelude to a
service of Advent Lessons and Carols.
We should be grateful that a young
composer of Muhly’s stature enjoys
composing for the organ and choirs,
and encourage him to write more.
1st October 2013
Discography
Nowell Sing We: Contemporary Carols, Volume 2
- LabelResonus
- Catalogue NumberRES10138
- ConductorStephen Farr
- EnsembleThe Choir of Worcester College
- SoloistAlex Goodwin, Nicholas Freestone, Ben Cunningham, organ
- Released2015