O Magnum Mysterium

• Lauridsen composed his motet O magnum mysterium for unaccompanied SATB chorus in 1994.¹
• The piece was commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and it was instrumental in launching Lauridsen’s career as a composer.²

“Until now, Vittoria’s O Magnum Mysterium has been the most beautiful and well recognized setting of this text composed to date. I predict that will change after tonight.”

Paul Salomunovich, director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, at the premiere of “O Magnum Mysterium”³

• Lauridsen has discussed two pieces of inspiration for this piece: Gregorian chant, and a Baroque painting called Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose (1633) by Francisco de Zurbarán.[ef_note]Ibid.[/efn_note] (Learn more in this video interview with Lauridsen.)

“…the objects in this work are symbolic offerings to the Virgin Mary. Her love, purity and chastity are signified by the rose and the cup of water. The lemons are an Easter fruit that, along with the oranges with blossoms, indicate renewed life. The table is a symbolic altar.”

Morten Lauridsen, on his inspiration for “O Magnum Mysterium:” Francisco de Zurbarán’s “Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose”⁴

1. Byron Adams, “Lauridsen, Morten,” Grove Music Online (22 Sep. 2015), accessed November 6, 2019,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002285141
2. “Celebrating Morten Lauridsen – “O Magnum Mysterium,” USC Thornton School of Music, accessed November 6, 2019, https://music.usc.edu/mortenlauridsen/celebrating-morten-lauridsen-o-magnum-mysterium/.
3. Ibid.
4. Morten Lauridsen, “It’s a Still Life That Runs Deep,” Wall Street Journal (February 21, 2009), accessed November 6, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123516723329736303.