O Magnum Mysterium - The Concordia Choir - Dr. René Clausen - Christmas Concert 1997

[@stclairfamily]

Thanks for posting. I was a second alto in the choir that year. Brings back so many memories.

[@tenor2productions]

I was in the Choir that year. I loved this piece. Thank you for posting.

[@99JBG]

Thank you for posting these beautiful recordings of the Concordia Choir. Sublime.

[@singingislife18]

I'm sitting in the hospital right now and this is the only thing all day that has brightened my spirits, so thank you.

[@MichaelMarcotte]

singingislife18 wishing you a speedy recovery ❤️

[@shawnhampton8503]

Simply gorgeous.

[@davidvolk4137]

I want to share that I have loved this piece since I first encountered it ... revered it ... cherished it. I have spent my career in and around choral music ... I even had a very special opportunity to spend a day with Morten Lauridsen once when he visited the University of Virginia's College at Wise. We ate lunch together and I was able to give him a tour of that little part of the world. I will never forget that day ... just as I will never forget the comfort and peace singing this piece at Piedmont College brought to my life at the most difficult time I have ever experienced. I will never forget the opportunity to share with him how much this piece - and 'O nata lux' mean to me (the latter of which I asked the Piedmont College choir to sing as a transitional piece between a joint baptism service for my son Reese and memorial service for his twin brother Evan who died hours after they were born extremely prematurely). I was nervous sharing that with Mr. Lauridsen, but felt compelled to do so - and he said he appreciated me sharing that. That meant so much - and I never ever thought life would have given me that opportunity. A former student put me on to this particular recording of 'O magnum.' Simply put, I have never experienced a performance that is more perfect. Every note. Every moment. Most importantly, every nuance. Thank you to every single person who was a part of bringing this into the universe. It is my go to meditation in times of stress, anger, hurt, and when I am in need of renewal. It is truly a gift I often share ...

[@MichaelMarcotte]

Thank you for these heartfelt words and for sharing part of your story. I was simply a freshman back in 1997 (and not yet eligible to audition for The Concordia Choir) when this was performed at the Christmas Concert but I was transfixed with this piece upon hearing it. It was the first time I could visualize the currents of music as Dr. Clausen elicited them from this sublime choir...it was this piece that cemented my determination to make it into that choir so that I, too, could create synchronous music atop the conductor's finger tips along with the other 71 souls. It was and is a 'face of God' moment for me and I'm incredibly grateful for the musical journey that began by experiencing this exquisite composition. Happy 2021 David and keep living in the music!

[@davidvolk4137]

@@MichaelMarcotte You bet :) 'Face of God' - perfect analogy. Yes - happy 2021 and may this be the year we get back to living the music and singing together without fear and all the necessary restrictions. Peace!

[@MrYoubetyy]

Beautiful..

[@tiffanirosia5919]

Not my choir but in a similar one (Mount Union); the memories this brings back….❤

[@thombanjo3]

So nice to hear from you Michael. I'm not real tech savy, but I can try.

[@MichaelMarcotte]

Here's the full concert for you sir ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ-0q3WJhtSbZ9k

[@lisawallover3875]

Latin text O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, iacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Iesum Christum. Alleluia! English translation 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!

[@thombanjo3]

sure would like to get a dvd of this concert...it is my favorite of all the Christmas programs I've seen...can't find a way to get it?

[@MichaelMarcotte]

Thom, I've been working this week on cleaning up the VHS copy in order that you can get a clear & visually beautiful digital file of the 1997 Christmas Concert. Will you be able to view the mp4(or whichever you prefer) file on your computer? If so, we can skip the DVD step as I'll simply send along the file. If, at a later point you wanted to make a DVD yourself then you would have the main ingredient to do so. This is certainly something I'd never do out of usual content piracy considerations but since this is more of a gift/sharing situation and certainly not profit motivated I'd say we're fine. Plus, as you pointed out, it's not available in a digital medium as of yet. Sound good?

[@MichaelMarcotte]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ-0q3WJhtSbZ9k

[@commontater24601]

Glorious. Back when the Concordia Choir had an exceptional conductor. Sadly, with Culloton, the Concordia Choir has entered a period of mediocrity.