#16 O Magnum Mysterium, Morten Lauridsen King's College Cambridge 2009

[@Lulutherabbit95]

My son used to sing this as a member of the danish royal boys choir, it had me bawling my eyes out everytime. One of the most beautiful songs ever 😭❤️

[@jhj6636]

A profoundly beautiful, soulful and edifying composition. A masterpiece. As a Cambridge alumnus and former employee of King's College, it was a great privilege to attend chapel and witness this exceptional musicianship. Wishing you all a very Happy new year [2024]

[@texmustangbullitt]

This moves me to tears every time I hear/view it. You can see the Divine in these faces.

[@jaemontanez988]

I kind of made a tradition for myself, that I would listen to this every Christmas Eve. Even when I feel like the season isn't as sparkly as I once thought it was, this is something that makes me feel grounded as it is still the same hauntingly beautiful music that touches the soul

[@christinesanken]

I have been listening to this, intermittently, for 5 years, and never, ever, tire of it's beauty, hauntingly, beautiful.

[@matthewfranklin9796]

Christine Sanken ❤️🌹👍🇬🇧🙏

[@explodingorder]

Christine Sanken same here. This is my favorite version of the song too, I hope this video never gets taken down

[@codynunez5246]

I took an art class on beauty and proportion a few months ago and the instructor told me something that I think we all know deep down in our being but just never fully realize and articulate it. Beautiful art and architecture have HARMONIOUS proportions and symmetry all of which are present in the natural world and these harmonies are the exact same as they are in music. So essentially the great composers and authors of such great hymns like this find perfect harmonies to where everything is so aligned that we never grow tired of listening to them.

[@JoaquimCarlosjoshua]

True. I've been listening it also for the past five years as well. Never tired. Always in love with JESUS.

[@ciupenhauer]

Nor can you get tired of that church, we haven't built anything as beautiful in the last 80 years at least, I don't think. Why haven't we?

[@dennisyates7668]

Once in a while us mortals get to witness a glimpse of the Heavenly Realm and I believe this is one of those times. Beautiful indeed.

[@carolclls2654]

i agree

[@andrewhamilton9915]

Yes

[@pamelamccall5653]

It’s even better to sing it! Sublime.

[@cyrilduce]

Munificent in all its forms, but Akiko does an astounding job

[@HeavenlyLights]

♥️

[@paulminister9238]

The first time I heard this masterpiece I was nodding off and thought I was in heaven

[@Baldgol4]

Oh Magnum Mysterium "Oh great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new born Lord laying in a manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ The Lord. Alleluia"

[@cathycole9577]

Thank you

[@HeavenlyLights]

Am I the only one who feels choral music sounds more beautiful in these grand cathedrals…? ✨this✨ is Christmas♥️

[@BodyFracturesAlso]

If when our time comes to pass, this beautiful sound may accompany our journey, then surely there will be nothing to fear.

[@peteroconnor8812]

I wrote to the composer Morten Lauridsen to tell him how much this beautiful song meant to me and he thanked me in reply!

[@caseyflorida]

In my opinion, this is one of the best choral anthems ever written. The harmonic modulations match the emotion of the words and it touches you. It always brings tears to my eyes when I hear it.

[@angelicmercy8003]

I would like to write him also...how would I find his address?

[@bdw66]

@@angelicmercy8003 Suggest writing to him, care of the Thornton School of Music, at the University of Los Angeles, California.

[@peteroconnor8812]

@@angelicmercy8003 it was a long time ago - but if my memory serves me, his email address is on his website. Bon chance

[@Mark.Thomas]

In 1972, I was a young GI stationed in Germany having just completed a degree in choral music before induction. I had the temerity to knock on Helmuth Rilling's door in Gachingen one afternoon, and he invited me in to discuss choral music with him. And he invited me to a recording session the next day. Stunning politeness, similar to what you report.

[@adude394]

If Mr. Lauridsen had never composed anything else, this would have been enough. A masterpiece, and magnificently performed here.

[@texmustangbullitt]

This moves me to tears every time I hear/view it. You can see the Divine in these faces.

[@pittsburghcomplinechoir4153]

I feel a closeness with all of you from all over the world who have been moved by this music. We are one.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

Well said. A language full of meaning without the use of words,

[@suzannebickford4253]

I love this comment.

[@Brandencarroll1]

This has to be one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen and heard.

[@tompage8674]

Beautiful song! Happy Xmas!

[@johnlee467]

This piece can move me to tears (also a difficult but lovely piece to sing!)

[@CarolanIvey]

Brings me to tears every time. My choir did this and it was difficult not to weep while singing it.

[@stevebrennan1309]

Ditto

[@jackipage4496]

Glorious music. My husband says that if there isn't a choir singing this when he gets to the Gates of Heaven he's not going in!

[@eddiegness]

And I'll wait with him outside :)

[@jackipage4496]

Eddie G He says he'll enjoy the company!

[@davidtinker2143]

I'd strongly advise him to reconsider his intention - the alternative 'venue' doesn't warrant even the slightest consideration.

[@ayishas4385]

I don't think he needs have any fear of that. I'm pretty confident it will be (;

[@missasinenomine]

I hope there wont be any countertenors in heaven. Angels don't sing falsetto!

[@fw570]

One of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.

[@sayresteven]

I first heard this while driving and I had to stop the car to listen to it. The ending left me breathless. A beautiful, meditative masterpiece.

[@BruceRobson1953]

Beautiful. Haunting. Humbling. "And the Word was made flesh." Made me glad to be alive.

[@walterbermudez1448]

He came down from heaven and so humbled Himself as to share His bed of straw with the beasts in the manger. All done for our sake! What a God we have!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@sherribeth7187]

The music of this piece captures for me the great mystery of the pain, beauty, and awe that makes up the Holy Reality of the Divine--the paradoxes and contradictions that we cannot comprehend, only worship.

[@porgyenbes992]

And this music leads to the pathway of light and hope and eternal peace beyond

[@JoaquimCarlosjoshua]

This is my especially loved part because it signifies many spiritual gains to me as a Christian from 2015 on: November, I had a vision of JESUS when I was in Essex perambulating along London St. from Purfleet-on-Thames and going about my business. It was about the soon Rapture of the Church. Will never forget the sheer beauty of JESUS. HIS brightness and serenity, looking beneath with love to me and to my brothers, a multitude. The dark bluish skies behind HIM. And this antiphon was my ever present musical backdrop.

[@peterhintz9415]

This (a European Chamber Choir recording) is what we listened to as may Dad passed away two years ago. My sister said he waited for the tenors at the end before he took his last breath.

[@maryevans]

I love this I love my lord Jesus listen 👂 every night such a blessing especially as I’m v poorly but so grateful for our lord’s forgiveness and salvation for us his pure love may you b blessed brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus Mary from England

[@joannazaleska5316]

Divine .... God I thank you for such music and people who created this

[@nodlon20]

I close my eyes and I feel a peace that passes understanding, this is so beautiful!

[@christinebumgardner4487]

Returning to this presentation again this week to gain comfort that our dearest beloved Queen, is now eternally surrounded by such glorious angelic music.

[@BrynLipinski]

I don’t believe in God, but I do understand that humankind’s belief in Him has-at least in part-given us this music, and for that I’m grateful.

[@sculpturum]

You seem to know God a lot..

[@BrynLipinski]

@@sculpturum I don’t

[@claireherring4788]

Absolute perfection! That's all I can say. I've heard many choirs sing this song. I've sung it with the Schola choir of St. Philips Cathedral (Atlanta). This is the best interpretation I've ever heard. Beautiful Kings College Choir! Bravo!

[@TealStarSusan]

Hi Claire! I sang it too many years ago in Scotland when I was in a choir there ... but with the Los Angeles Chorale who were touring at the time. We had a combined concert, each choir doing their own things, and then ..... this .... together. My soul remains touched to this day .... I still find myself singing it around the house... I SO miss chorale singing now I have moved to northern Portugal !

[@WolfeTone66]

Incredibly beautiful..💚

[@rsoriani]

I was moved to tears listening to this piece. Superb is only the adjective to describe this performance by the King's College Choir. The song is really fit for a KING.

[@warrenjohnson182]

The most beautiful song I’ve ever heard

[@musicloversingable]

I am flooded with tears as I listen to this music sung by such a superb choir and view the incredible beauty of the chapel.

[@jackmorrison7379]

While this masterpiece of choral music writing transcends boundaries of nation or sect, I'll enjoy a small amount of pride that its composer is an American from the Pacific Northwest. A now retired professor who taught at USC in SoCal for many decades in its music faculty.

[@biddyearly9262]

The composer was created in God's image. He's a human before he's an American or a European.

[@oakbank1953]

Awesome! I have a few albums by this composer, but this track...it reduces me to a heap-on-the-floor, every time - and I still feel fantastic! Just...awesome! Well done, sir!

[@michaelodonnell6078]

I have just heard this wonderful music on classic fm and was taken aback by the purity and serenity I felt. It is indeed a sublime piece of work and I only wished I had heard it before now. Words are not adequate to describe this music… bliss,magical,heavenly,uplifting all of these and more.

[@Loomyer]

O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

[@heartstringproductionsbook5298]

Beautiful beyond words!💖

[@trevortomah8508]

A powerful celestial worship praise masterpiece. A resounding awesome Amen, an all encompassing blessed Shalom.

[@DLJ2890]

This is amazing!

[@lynnjenkins3663]

So beautiful. Heard the choir of Lichfield Cathedral sing this last night at the festival of lessons and carols 2023. Spine tingling.

[@robertjohearn]

I weep every time I here the first minute of this. there is hope for humankind...

[@TonyParrack]

There is a gentle power that I find when my choir sings this most beautiful song. As we will do at our Christmas concert tomorrow

[@kaylagroves630]

This is soooo BEAUTIFUL I had everyone in my home shocked and really relaxed

[@KDXkid200]

I've been listening to this every year for the last ten to twelve years during the holiday season. I played an instrumental version of this in high school band and fell in love with this piece.

[@angelinesanthanam5392]

Bravo, bravo Kings College choir......keep your heavenly music forever vibrant. Love ya!!!!!

[@tomrichards7026]

I think half of these views are from me. This is far and away the most beautiful song I've ever heard.

[@anneadams1541]

The other half are me!

[@stephkarma4961]

Simply beautiful.🙏thankyou.❤️

[@windstorm1000]

nobody tops English choirs--they are the best....

[@ginochiavacci1757]

Hear! Hear!!! Absolutely!!!!!!! God bless them...and all the wonderful choirs wherever they may be!!! 🌎🌍🌏

[@maggiewang1410]

exactly 10 years ago, sep 16, 2010, Thursday morning, 7am, I played this piece, the band version in my high school. The moment our band finished sight read and played the music together, I felt in love with this beauty.

[@emfry752]

probably the finest piece of choral music written in the modern age, haunting and beautiful

[@scottnyc6572]

Always grabs at the heartstrings,so beautiful!!!

[@joetroisi6814]

Once a year I post this on Facebook. The first I heard it played was on Boston Public Radio (WCRB) a week or so before Christmas while driving home from work in the snow. It was years ago. When I arrived home, my four year old daughter was looking out the storm door waiting. As I pulled up she gave me a big smile as this piece was coming to its conclusion. I felt like I was timeless with the snow coming down and her smiling. This piece has to be one of the most beautiful - most majestic - pieces of music I have ever put ears to. I hope it brings some peace to anyone who takes the time to listen; peace in these chaotic horrific times we are living in. If you listen, ask yourself... "what is important"? Thank you,

[@DREADN0UGHTT]

This might be the greatest choral arrangement ever written.

[@Teddyb1939]

This is pure magic, so lovely.

[@peterporto6291]

I thank all of you for giving me the feelings you brought out. I too listen to this every day.

[@deniswang5577]

I wonder how Mr. Lauridsen felt when he first heard and saw this piece being sung by Kings in Kings Chapel. I think he would have been very pleased.

[@roderickchildermass]

As long as there are human beings who are able to compose music like this I will go on being sure that there is some sort of spiritual power woven into the very fabric of us and all the universe.

[@megk.4599]

Beautifully expressed 🙏.

[@freshstart349]

Long live 🇬🇧

[@anitataylor321]

Such lovely music.....................so relaxing, could listen to it forever here or hereafter!!

[@BobfromSalem]

Bach Chamber Choir of Milwaukee just performed this last weekend - - so awesome to a be part of it!~

[@eileenferris9619]

it's just beautiful and angelic. Thank You for all you do because it comforts me x

[@rebeccamorgan6244]

The best recording of this that I've heard so far.

[@barrytomlinson645]

The most beautiful sound of sacred music that I have ever heard, it makes me cry every time I playit

[@gabriell8464]

One of most beautiful musics in all history of the world!

[@ginochiavacci1757]

Hear! Hear!!! Absolutely!!!!!!! God bless them...and all the wonderful choirs wherever they may be.... 🌎🌍🌏

[@jansmans8191]

A choir sang this today at a church in Bruges.. out of this world beautiful

[@rachelmarshall6384]

Surely the nearest thing to listening to angels singing ever heard. Makes your heart ache.

[@michaeltodd6002]

This is the best of all. King's College Cambridge is the best and someday I will go there to tell them face to face! Somehow~

[@davidtinker2143]

I hope you achieve your ambition. I've attended Evensong in person - an experience I'll always treasure and never forget.

[@searchingforbutterflies]

Dear King's college, This is a fantastic performance...

[@mfielding23]

Haunting! One of my favourite pieces for the Christmas season. As an alumnus of St John's college I went to their Advent service and as a graduate got into Kings near Christmas too, tho not for the recording of Carols from Kings. Music like this just glorifies God in my humble opinion!

[@blissful351]

I have asked for this to be played at my funeral

[@memiller55]

I hope you may have it... Not easy to have a choir ready to sing this difficult work when required! I have music picked out for my funeral (Bach cantata "Christ lag in Todesbanden") but don't know when the time comes if it will be possible...

[@aaronashcraft8016]

lesley scarborough the Geneva Presbyterian Church choir in Laguna Hills, California sang this at my wife’s funeral in 1999. It brings tears to my eyes to listen!

[@DLJ2890]

even in lent in 2021 we should celebrate alleluia for the breaths we are given to take in this difficult time

[@njiahtata2267]

Wonderful piece, a glimpse of paradise.

[@balmuis]

Just heard this yesterday for first time . So touched by this music, how wondereously beautiful

[@JAGBRG]

A masterpiece sung by an exceptional choir❤️

[@cyrilduce]

Every time I hear it. This evening with streams of tears of sadness and joy and longing and gratitude. Deo gratia

[@jackmorrison7379]

The stars must have aligned at Kings in 2009. So many excellent undergraduate "choral scholars". Listen to the other uploaded videos from that year. Great stuff, but this video of the Lauridsen choral piece is special.

[@valeriechapman1612]

This is a very spiritual piece of music but beautifully sung by the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge. What a wonderful sound the Choir make. It has a haunting quality to it but in a great way. It’s a very relaxing piece of music which is what we all need right now. Beautiful.

[@singingislife18]

I sang this in college. Still one of my favorite pieces

[@2009roosje]

thank you for uploading this, it's one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard. Love

[@j.rossmayhew5269]

ZOUNDS!!!!! Such a warm, intimate sound... heals the soul. This choir is one of the TOP vocal ensembles on the planet, and they NAILED this modern classic to the WALL. I thought the Nordic Singers did justice to it, but this is on "a whole 'nother level" as the saying goes.

[@DonAllenDe]

Wonderful, glorious, fantastic and to think that it was written by an American composer, Morten Lauridsen. Samuel Barbers "Adagio" is also on the same level and just goes to show that European composers are not the only ones that could write amazing music.

[@bjarneschjerning3621]

Half danish

[@bobareebop]

I love when the alleluias come in at 5:28. Praise and glory to God!

[@joetiemann]

The 8 people that disliked this must have something wrong in their brains because this is beyond beautiful.

[@davidtinker2143]

Agreed - unfortunately that number has risen to 33 in May 2019

[@budahed54]

Maybe it's because of the inconsistent intonation and balance. Or maybe the poor phrasing. Or the complete lack of dynamic contrast. Who knows?

[@yoodeet6338]

It was probably my grandmother with athritis. She keeps pressing the wrong buttons accidently.

[@simondodge9733]

I have pressed dislike accidently (not this video). Easy to do, and I am not aware of an UNDO

[@chazm3]

I loved it right up until the last note was cut off before it finished, and of course KZbin put an ad right there, not the fault of the uploader. Absolutely must be some moments of silence after a piece like that.

[@happycowgirl32]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!

[@jartarmin4553]

O Magnum Mysterium - the sound of heaven

[@DLJ2890]

4:46-5:00 this young man shows us how to sing high notes, ring them, truly. just observe the jaw, forehead, eyebrows while singing and learn about resonance in singing, vowels and lyrical singing / phrasing.

[@cmac19]

Very, very amazing! Fantastic performance of an amazing song!

[@goodboybuddy1]

This is what it's all about. Thank you for sharing.

[@pap4456]

This is a blessing....

[@DivaLis515]

This is such a blessing

[@Gazzadp]

This is piece, by this choir, well I am trying to find the rights words to describe it. But I really cannot, I have been a fan of real choral music since I was teenager and this is one of the best pieces I have EVER heard. Moving, outstanding and utterly BRILLIANT! Thanks for uploading!

[@alfredooggioni5243]

Mi piacerebbe comporre per questo coro: non ci sono limiti a una celestiale interpretazione come questa. Per un maestro di coro, che solitamente compone "a misura" del materiale disponibile, sarebbe come spaziare liberamente su una tastiera dell'organo, con tutti i colori desiderati. Credo rimarrà un sogno o un'utopia! Complimenti a questo complesso, "rara avis" !

[@charliefarley85]

Tears to the eyes!

[@maxwillis]

Simply amazing. thanks for sharing.

[@DLJ2890]

this is a tenor killer, but technique can achieve. sounds very good. good job tenors

[@marklastes312]

Such is the life of a Tenor, spent up in the belfries. xD

[@DLJ2890]

@@marklastes312 let us hope more souls ring there

[@marklastes312]

@@DLJ2890 As a counter-tenor I'm able to be comfortable up there. I never knew I could sing until I got into highschool and found this amazing voice out of nowhere.

[@earthcitizen592]

It was on the year of 2001 when I first heard from a Singapore 🇸🇬 choir! 💚

[@feleciask7943]

This song is difficult af (sorry for the profanities), but it's so beautifully written. And I really like King's College version since it's very smooth and calming

[@peterporto6291]

I also love when young ones are in such a choir.

[@leonardogulino4328]

sublime!!!! Ti immette in un'altra dimensione!!!!