Magi

Magi is a Christmas piece conceived on a grand scale. Scored for choir, upper voice semichorus, organ, brass quintet and percussion, the carol brings to musical life a poem by Garth Bardsley which tells of the journey of the three Kings. In this dramatic re-telling of the story, the poem gives ample opportunity for musical colour and contrast.

‘The journey of the Magi is akin to a Hollywood blockbuster filmed in Techniclolor and the epic nature of this story inspired my approach to the poem. Ben’s setting harnesses perfectly the dynamic contrasts present in the narrative.’ Garth Bardsley 

The piece received its first performance on 15th December 2012 with the Cathedral Choral Society conducted by J Reilly Lewis in the National Cathedral, Washington DC. The UK premiere was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 in December 2013 with the BBC Singers and National Youth Chamber Choir.

Three men, rich in years and wisdom,
Looked to the heavens
For they had learned, through long examination, how to read the stars.
Three men, laden with knowledge,
Began a journey
For they had seen, through wide, astonished eyes, an extraordinary sight:
One star rising,
Its fiery glare tearing apart the jet-black sky, 

Through wind and storm they followed that star
Crossing the sky, travelling far.
O’er land so barren, desolate, wild
They journeyed toward a new-born child. 

The ocean’s rage these travellers bore;
Braving the waves’ tempestuous roar.
Through cold of night and heat of day
They journeyed toward the place where He lay.
These three men journeying far, travelling west
To witness a miracle was their quest. 

No palace nor citadel did they find
No mansion or temple of any kind
But there in a stable, before their eyes
Lay a child; God’s only son for us to prize.
Three gifts these men now gave:
Gold - As a symbol of kings
Frankincense - As a symbol of God
Myrrh - As a symbol of Life and of Death 

Three men, rich in years and wisdom,
Looked to the heavens
For they alone could comprehend
The magnitude!
The wonder!
The truth in what they saw!

© Garth Bardsley