O Magnum Mysterium : Westminster Cathedral Choir

The choir of Westminster Cathedral sing Morten Lauridsen's stunningly beautiful setting of O Magnum Mysterium during Midnight Mass 2009.
O magnum mysterium
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in præsepio.
Beata virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
portare Dominum Christum, Alleluia!
Translation:
O great mystery
and wondrous sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord
lying in their manger.
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy
to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

[@dannyd8181]

I would ask all of you who read this to my please pray for me, my name is Danny, and I am trapped in the vice of Drugs. Please ask the Lord to deliver me, so that I may be a virtuous man, who will be light for men and women, guiding them to the True Light, Our Lord Jesus! Thank you my brothers and sisters in Christ

[@AbiZolanski]

Danny D I too have the same vice. You're loved- choose life.

[@BourgeoisTylerJ]

Be assured of my prayers for you Danny

[@MichElle-sd6gj]

Brother Danny, addicting to drugs is demonic so pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet daily for deliverance, which is a very prayer & I will pray for you daily too. Put on the Brown Scapular and tell Mother Mary to cover you with her mantle of protection and drive away the devil & his demons from you.

[@MichElle-sd6gj]

** very short prayer

[@RezaChity-G]

Our Lady never fails us! Pray the Holy Rosary devoutly! Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries!

[@indigoriviera]

I cannot stop listening to this--I am not even a Christian but this is jaw-dropping. Absolutely beautiful.

[@michaelhoilman7865]

Would that you accept Christ into your heart, you very well would be this hour!

[@TCW1977]

it brought me to tears it is magical

[@harryhagan5937]

It's been 12 years now. I hope you have joined the fold by now. Roman Catholic would be the ideal, as it is Christ's Church. 2000 years and counting.

[@jodiroshong9098]

This is an absolutely angelic beautiful song. My son was in college and in choir. My Mom was on hospice and actively dying. She was very restless. I had a CD of my son’s college choir and decided to put it on by her bed. This song soothed her immediately. This was in 2011 and I still listen to it. Absolutely beautiful

[@Podhighlights3]

Only if you know the true meaning behind all of this it becomes immensely more interesting

[@gerrardallen458]

Was it Morehouse College's CD? Their Glee Club included this on a CD years ago, and it was incredible. I listened to it a million times over.

[@debbiemail1]

This has to be one of my all time favourite religious works. It doesn't matter whether you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish - whatever. You listen and feel connected to something so exquisitely wonderful you just want to weep with joy.

[@jennywren413]

I have very strong memories of suffering through the death of my grandfather the day before Christmas Eve and then coming to the cathedral the next day and singing this anthem with the choir that had adopted me as an "orphan" chorister spending Christmas in a foreign country. It's very hard to grieve when you're singing this- it transports you to another place. Thank you, Mr Lauridsen.

[@pieterthomasz9329]

I am an Anglican, went to a Catholic brothers school. This beautiful music is a blessing to all Christians and anyone who cares to listen. All beautiful sacred music, whether "ancient" or contemporary is a blessing. I love my Catholic brothers and sisters as well as my fellow Anglicans. May all Christians, Catholic and protestant, be united in our faith and rejoice in the beauty of worship. Thank you Drwestbury for sharing this lovely music with all of us!

[@PatriciaPrice]

Pieter Thomasz Amen from your Baptist sister in Christ

[@scriptmusiconline]

Pieter Thomasz Have you listened Durufle's Tantum Ergo? I find that it is inspired by the same spirit, The Spirit of Love.

[@pieterthomasz9329]

squidgetpj92 I don't keep up to date with these and just saw your response. Blessings to you!

[@pieterthomasz9329]

scriptmusiconline Yes, thank you. Durufle's Tantum Ergo is indeed beautiful and inspiring!

[@danielwoodwardcomposer2040]

+Pieter Thomasz All beings are united, we just have to realize it.

[@frankmallek1907]

I am from Chicago and have sung as a a boy soprano at age 11-13 in the late 1950’s. ( Gregorian Chant ) Mass III. I still sing in choirs where I have taught for close to 50 years! I had the joy of joy of visiting Westminster Cathedral 5 years ago, as well as Westminster Abbey. I had the privilege to sit with the choir for Vespers at both St. Paul Cathedral and Saulsberry Cathedral two years ago!

[@ΧριστιναΞυγκογιαννη]

voices of angels!

[@barrytomlinson645]

Such a beautiful, moving piece of music. Truly representing the Magnificent Mystery that is the Body and Blood of Christ in The Holy Eucharist.

[@CurveLearningNatures]

hearing this for the first time, I am overwhelmed with a sadness for all that is no more, all that has been lost...…..all that is not recoverable, all those who are no longer here.....wonderfully beautifully deafeningly sad

[@VckyRussell-122]

I know exactly how you feel. Every time I hear this I start crying remembering all those who have gone before, I miss them so much.

[@umaara100]

Many become atheist because some churches do everything other then what they are suppose to be doing.God lives within all things and is express in the beauty of places like this and in the beauty of the ritual.Peace be with you.

[@MONTYMELLAS]

it is the 'quiet stillness' that comes from hearing this and seeing take place the great liturgical action, the Sacrifice of the Mass. My Grandfather passed away in November of last year, and this past Christmass was difficult in so many ways.

[@4thissceptredisle435]

I remember in 2009 when I first heard this beautiful piece of music on 'Carols from Kings' early on Christmas Eve; and then this version from Westminster Cathedral a few hours later for Midnight Mass. Both sung to perfection. Thank you Morten Lauridsen for this gorgeous music touches my soul very deeply; and it is in the top two of my favourite pieces of music ever. The other being Allegri's 'Miserere Mei, Deus'. x

[@rachelgohlman3582]

This is liturgy! I pray that one day the entire Catholic Church will have such beauty and reverence when they prepare to receive Jesus Christ.

[@TheHeelerboy]

ogbert wallstrauter That is just plain nasty. Why don't you try and respect other people's beliefs? I'm sure there are loads of pages on youtube that you could haunt, so why pick this one?

[@morganduhamel2205]

My thoughts exactly! To quote a previous pope "nothing is too beautiful for God!"

[@williamharris1131]

"Beauty is in the "mind" of the beholder" However, some minds are very "warped"!

[@bobrobinson5014]

Rachel Gohlman - well hardly coz very few Catholic Churches can afford a multi-million £ pound choir!!!

[@rachelgohlman3582]

@@bobrobinson5014 ordinary choir members can be taught. It just takes work, willpower and dedication

[@sputnikalgrim]

For some reason music moves me in very emotional ways, and when ever I hear the majesty of a choir in a beautiful cathedral I'm moved to tears, I can't hold them back. This was so beautiful, and yes, I wept

[@johnrobinson1132]

The music and the liturgical actions combine to make an other-worldly moment in time. Thank you all who made this magic happen.

[@kingsmen711]

Solemn prayer through music. God smiles when he hears this.

[@Donna1785]

This song has God move theHoly Spirit into your heart, so that his intentions are fullfilled. Praise God. I can hardly wait to bough before my Majesty..The King. JESUS.

[@Mystakaphoros]

hey Christians, thanks for being beautiful

[@niravathu7353]

No problem man. Just trying to spread the light we are given.

[@kingcakewatson2587]

I'd no idea this Roman Catholic cathedral where I attended Mass when I was in London could be this beautiful Thank you, drwestbury - it re-arranges the architecture of the soul. I wonder if Morten Lauridsen ever saw this as a distant possibility when he was manning that fire tower near Mt. St. Helen's, working as a firefighter for the US Forest Service. God is the Father of Surprise.

[@josephososkie3029]

Never knew that about him but it all fits in a Godwink kind of way. Wonderful.

[@KenyonCT]

I love the gentle tempo - slower than I am used to hearing this piece. I am sure the acoustics of the building help. Glorious rendition by a superb choir - heard them on tour here in Atlanta some years back at Christ the King Cathedral. Also a magnificent concert.

[@anne-mariarothenstein2489]

Yes End October 2006..my son was one of the choristers in the choir and on tour.Strangely enough, End April, 2003 I was in Atlanta as part of my EMBA and

[@anne-mariarothenstein2489]

attended your cathedral on Sundays while I was there.

[@Jbm0230]

God, I just love that Low D that the basses sing at the climax and at the end. It just shows how beautiful the human voice is.

[@Highinsight7]

My second most favorite Lauridsen's work... No 1... might be "O nata lux"... these two are very similar... and sooo transcendental..

[@BaronVonNapalm]

I'll be performing this twice over this Christmas season. I cannot express how wonderful this piece is to sing. I have never been more thankful for my vocal range than for this song. The Tenor part is divine.

[@yaboialia9612]

Ik I'm a lil late, but how'd u do

[@MarianParrott]

The liturgy and music inspired by Christianity are among the great spiritual an artistic achievements of humanity. You need not be a Christian to be deeply moved by thsi piece, I am a choral singer and Lauridsen's works are much beloved of singers for their wonderful harmonies.

[@MarianParrott]

Whoa, this very composer has written beautiful settings of secular poems, such as Agee's "Sure on this Shining Night" and Neruda's "Soneto de la Noche". There is plenty of great secular music, including operas, symphonies and so on. Johannes Brahms's German Requiem was criticized for leaving out the message of the resurrection, but he steadfastly refused to include it. Many excellent musicians, scientists, novelists and artists are atheists,and while there are certainly a few cranky ones out there, I think you'll find most are nice and reasonable people.

[@numaranamikaze491]

I have to agree with you, Marian. My school performed this recently, and even the most non-religious person I know was moved to tears. Now we're to perform "Sure on this Shining Night" and it is just as beautiful as "O Magnum Mysterium". No religious affiliation is needed to enjoy or create music. Even something as beautiful as this can be written by an atheist. Music is accepting to all. And it's really sad that some people do not realize that.

[@maxwilliams6872]

IngeniousFirefly This is such a typical youtube argument, except for the unfailing politeness on both sides.

[@MarianParrott]

Yes, within and without the church, choral music expresses a fundamental human yearning.

[@williamharris1131]

Amen!

[@truls_vik]

I am a current Norwegian law student in the UK. This song is what i need to get past my exams. This is not music. its Art!

[@ln__igr]

Magnificent, phenomenal! Speechless ....

[@alwellus]

You sound surprised, please remember the text is from the morning prayers of Christmas, and in Latin. This hymn has been sung in the Catholic Church for centuries to different tunes or chants. I have to admit this is as good as any chant, and its uplifting of the soul is unequaled as it captures the true wonder of that night so many years ago in Bethlehem.

[@mobrien7128]

Just breathtaking --

[@trevortomah8508]

An awesome resounding celestial Amen, a beautiful all encompassing blessed Shalom.

[@streamofawareness]

I have tears in my eyes. This is beautiful.

[@MichaelCoffman]

You aren’t the only one

[@jondougherty2875]

Haunting and eternal. I much prefer the English choirs rendition of this beautiful work, especially the soprano part with the boys choirs. I feel a connection with our creator every time I hear this piece. God Bless Morten Lauridsen.

[@davedickinson9260]

I feel unworthy tonight just trying to express my feelings. I listen to this foretaste of Heaven and I am melting into the Love of God, shown to me at the Cross of Calvary in the body of His perfect Son. This all done by the power and activity of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, I have to learn to stop talking, listen and then fall flat on my face before the Lord my God. Come friends, with me, into the beauty of God and His Love. It is real. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Love in Jesus; Rev Dev - love from Lancashire in the North West of England xxx

[@berrisreid]

This rendition of O Magnum Mysterium as sung at Westminster Cathedral for mid night Mass is truly Divinely done. Thank you !!

[@katybeebe1012]

May you find the strength you need to become who you truly are... A star... X

[@wyuk-bh]

my all time favourite music piece, sung by a wonderful choir

[@nicholasboconnell]

A lovelyl, ethereal version of O Magnum Mysterium here. I just sang it with the St. Anne's Choir in Seattle and loved the haunting, otherworldly melodies. I look forward to more from the composer!

[@josephmckenna3720]

I have played music for 24 of my 39 years, studied it, have a passion for it and I’ve been asked countless times over the years, what’s your favorite song? Hard question when there’s so many that might come to mind that are indelible, freeing, finding light, the difficult times, or just remind us of happy times in our lives (or all of the above). For me, this one is it through and through. It’s vast and just stirs so much, moves you, elicits a reaction, a strong emotion and that’s what’s this beautiful piece of music does for me. Wonderful performance

[@mobrien7128]

The camera work here is exquisite! At 2:15 when the Rood appears to ascend and the alter and the congregation appear to follow is magnificent. This is what The Mass truly is.

[@sarllsspencer]

I have no words. This is simply perfect. When I was in band in high school Morten Lauridsen came and worked on this song with us. I wish we could have been half as good as this. But it was still one of the most amazing experiences I had making music.

[@tmitch1950]

everyone should hear this magnificent piece also in its TTBB arrangement. It is devastatingly beautiful with the dark, rich sound of the male choral version.

[@tritus67]

the beauty of music has no barriers, has no geographical boundaries, political or religious ... is a universal language ..... a direct line with God, the God of everybody... Mary

[@charlesmusyoka6739]

Absolutely divine!

[@KevanWilliams]

i think my ears went to heaven at 4:35 ....

[@edcami90]

This is so touching and inspiring. The rendition is so beautiful! It just lifts your thoughts to God. Praise be to God for inspiring such beautiful music and singing. God bless you all!

[@trulyproductive1]

Music is a potent instrument that transcends divisions in creed, humbles the heart, calms the mind, and creates commonality in all people through its universal beauty.

[@tomgt007]

this has got to be one of the best recording of this piece of music.. great tempo.. flows perfectly.

[@stephengregory3211]

Ouch! It is super slow and the recording quality is awful. Listen to one of the composer’s recordings…

[@MrJediNinjaPirateMan]

I might be atheistic, but I still hold that belief in a God has motivated people to great feats of artistic brilliance. This is a good example.

[@Michorium]

This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful works of music that can stir the disquieted heart and mind. This can penetrate the physic and deep mental parts of ones heart.

[@umaara100]

Im a new convert ,This is true catholicism.The art,the music,the incense and the ritual.Thats the true worship.

[@bobwatsonthebaritone]

Thank you so much for putting this on the web. Oh that I could hear you sing for real! Spiritual in the highest preparing for Communion.

[@RS-vp1fr]

What a music! The incarnation ob beauty. This choir is outstanding. God bless you all!!!

[@francoislebedel4428]

Oh ! les admirables choeurs anglais, merveilles, enchantement. La maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris n'arrive pas à leur cheville. Il s'agit ici du culte catholique romain mais la même qualité chorale se retrouve chez les anglicans. Nos amis anglais ont un véritable culte du chant choral que l'on ne retrouve pas en France, hélas !

[@nicoliniromano613]

Signor Lebedel ,anche io dico che nessun coro in Italia canta così bene come i corali inglesi. Si unisca a me per convincere i governanti inglesi e francesi a restituire a tutti le basi della lingua latina. Vede come cantano bene in latino i ragazzi inglesi? Formidabili!

[@cfltd.1784]

El pablo taco estas

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

Confusion seems to persist amongst us Yankees. Westminster Abbey is Anglican. Well, for the last 450 years or so anyway. Westminster CATHEDRAL, where this mass was taped, is Catholic. Both are in Westminster, within a short walk of each other. The Abbey is next to Westminster Palace, where Parliament is held, the Cathedral is a few blocks up Victoria Street close to Victoria Station.

[@Southlander1000]

Thanks for the clarification. I was thinking Anglican until I saw all the vestments and the Novus Ordo actions.

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

Well, if you want to see Catholic tradition in London, you have to visit my church in London, the Oratory (Sacred Heart of Mary) on Brompton Road in South Kensington.

[@Southlander1000]

I will try to remember that if I am ever over there!

[@MrYorickJenkins]

And there is a rather fine painting there, namely Holman Hunt's "Light of the World".

[@bobrobinson5014]

Tom Gray - the Brompton Oratory is shite! Stick with the cathedral for authentic liturgy and quality singing.

[@francesodonovan2068]

God's presence radiating through. Holy is thy name. Amen

[@bigbadredsox]

Never tire of this beauty.

[@KingBertboy]

I'm not catholic but i enjoy catholic hymns they help me sleep at night especially this song I love it!!!!

[@AbiZolanski]

This song never fails to make me cry

[@g19275348]

The choir sang this motet again at Midnight Mass tonight. KZbin cannot fully render the beauty of this sublime piece, which held thousands of us in hushed silence.

[@edwardchalmers7070]

Utmost delight! Had to go on this collection of delightful sounds!

[@huntrichardson]

Peace, dignity, solemnity and beauty in service at the Lord's table

[@kpman]

Out of this world.

[@enricobalay3442]

Very Touching and Beautiful.

[@Sammy.U]

I wish it wasn't streaming online or I'd be like in tears right now. Our choir did this a while back and it is a FANTASTIC song to be a part of.

[@esotere]

Got the chills listening to this!

[@magdalenasiringoringo5807]

this song really give me a goosebumps.

[@1685mymusic]

Despite the the poor sound quality, and the natural noises of the worship this is still the best version of this magnificent piece I have ever heard. Am having at my wedding in 2023 as the intro It! Gunna be quite a service. God bless each and every one of you. X

[@mjday7982]

This is delicious! Rich harmonies and the occasion for which it was presented was made it so much the more beautiful.

[@FredericaE]

Breathtaking!! Brought my tears!! It's been a long time since I've heard anything this beautiful!! Thank you!!!!

[@SALEENS7GTR5]

4:34. That sub-bass is incredible.

[@alistairkirk3264]

If you turn up the volume you can clearly hear them using the organ to bolster up the bass notes for those few bars. That is not to say that the bass singers in Westminster Cathedral aren't incredible, which they certainly are.

[@SALEENS7GTR5]

Alistair Kirk as beautiful an a capella piece this is, having that organ pedal tone at that specific part of the climax only makes this piece more powerful. It is still one of my dreams to hear this sang at a midnight mass at some famous cathedral, perhaps the one in Baltimore since it would be closest.

[@geoffbell100]

Thanks for sharing this video. I love this cathedral and find it very spiritually uplifting whenever I visit London. The Cathedral school choir are magnificent as demonstrated here.

[@MichaelBrooksmsb400]

Glorious Worship Music...Just cannot beat Latin!

[@carmetorrellodena9433]

Que hermosisimas voces. Realmente bello.

[@justinefranco6574]

We will sing this song at the 24th of December! Im a Tiple at Christ the King Parish,Project 7,Quezon City,Philippines.

[@andrearonaldo11]

if these are humans just imagine what the angels in heaven sound like!

[@patricksullivan530]

I've heard and performed Morten Lauridsen's music. This is a spectacular recording. I love it when such young voices can execute his incredibly complex chords so subtly and beautifully.

[@beatrizlejarza507]

Música sublime! Nos unifica con la profundidad de la vida.

[@salomaop1]

Magnífica composição de Lauridsen, virtuosa interpretação deste coro. Com esta música as nossas almas ficam unidas na voz de Deus! Eleva-nos em paz ao silêncio da harmonia universal! Amen!

[@baldrbraa]

People can only approach each other so far. There is always an inner gate in each person that the other can't pass through. Even in the closest relationship of love, this gate is approached only intermittently, and never passed. The love that the choir is singing of here, is the love that can open that gate in each of us.

[@oscarmg1286]

Siempre que contemplo algún vídeo de música de la Catedral de Westminster me vienen extraordinarios recuerdos de los momentos que viví en dicho templo. Mi sensación es que verdaderamente es una gran casa abierta donde sentir plenamente la presencia de Cristo resucitado. Gracias / Thank you

[@1974brigadier]

As beautiful a piece as I have ever heard. We are learning this in my church choir to sing on Christmas Eve. That chords at 3:45 and again at 4:13 are incredible!

[@chinwo]

cant get enough of this! too beautiful! thank God.

[@MrJustinkielty]

What a magnificent gift to us. Thank you so very much.

[@bigbadredsox]

Very well done. Bravo!!!! Thanks for posting drwestury.

[@ChantChorales]

Oh my word, hearing this Choir sing, is really amazing ! Such gifted and talented choristers. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@robdanobuk]

I absolutely love this piece of music, sung by a professional church choir. The thing I like most is that there has been no attempt to 'mask' the ambient sounds of the church - for instance, around 1 minute 50 seconds you can hear a baby cry out. This just adds to the extra special nature of this beautifully sung piece of music. Bravo.

[@cedriclewis651]

The basses we're everything and more😍🔥🎼

[@Melentir1009]

What a gorgeous testament to the presence of God in music and the power of music to move the soul! I don't think my eyes were dry for a moment through the entire song. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@Lagrangeify]

jondemusiq you hit the nail on the head. If we're doomed, if there's no hope, then I'll happily die with this reverberating in my ears for eternity.

[@Musicolette]

A exquisite moment when God and music walk hand in hand!

[@hiroshi2020]

@Bouncybon Exactly! They are all such beautiful singers! If only every church could have such beauty! God Bless!

[@sueharvey6603]

Just glorious.Thanks so much.

Traducción de "O magnum mysterium" Oh que gran misterio y admirable sacramento, que las criaturas han podido ver Jesús recién nacido acostado en un pesebre, Bienaventurada la Virgen cuyas entrañas merecieron llevar a Cristo nuestro Señor

[@anneadams1541]

Listening again. So very beautiful!

[@jzydek]

Yeah, music is one of the greatest gifts given to man. This is spectacular.

[@dvald75]

So beautiful. Thank you

[@Fraccity]

so very beautiful..makes me cry every time.

[@iandavidhenderson]

This marvelous "O Magnum Mysterium" stirs me deeply every time I hear it. T hank you for posting this musical jewel.

[@briangruenewald7536]

I don't know if anyone took the time to translate the Latin text into English, but if not let me just say that this song talks about and praises The Virgin Mary the birth of Christ - essentially, Christmas. With that said, this would be appropriate for a December Mass. On a side note, I'm not a Catholic, but I LOVE this song!!!

[@morganduhamel2205]

Well it's not your average jingle bells!

[@latinmasschoir5581]

+Brian Gruenewald . It is; this is being sung during the Offertory of Midnight Mass. It is being sung in the Mass, for which the words were written in the Roman Brevery. When did you think this was recorded? It clearly says above "Midnight Mass at Westminster Cathderal 2009".

[@irajayrosen4792]

Brian Gruenewald Both the circumstances of the recording and the translation are in the description.

[@vijnp]

Morten Lauridsen...whose serene work...leaves the impression that all questions have been answered..(Nick Strimple). So well phrased!

[@treblechoir99]

Magnificent moment with this Liturgy. Thank you very much for this masterful moment also, of course, from the Boys Choir. Oh boy, what gift.