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Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
composer
1952
author of text
Nos 1 & 2: Matins Reponsories for Christmas Day; No 3: Antiphon for the Octave of the Epiphany; No 4: Vespers Antiphon on Christmas Day
These exquisite miniatures paint four colourful scenes from the nativity story. O magnum mysterium is the most profound: slow and (by Poulenc’s standards) harmonically austere, it grows in intensity toward the final repetition of the main text, via an intimate verse in praise of the Virgin. The text of Quem vidistis makes two demands of the shepherds, set in contrasting ways by Poulenc. ‘Who did you see?’ is a cantilène accompanied by searching quaver movement; by contrast, the imperative ‘Speak … and proclaim the birth of Christ’ is a trumpet blast worthy of the annunciatory angels themselves. The crystalline refrain of Videntes stellam evokes a placid and (of course) starlit night, through which the Magi travel with burgeoning excitement; this reaches a rich climax as they enter the stable and present their gifts; outside the star shines on, undisturbed. In the final motet, Hodie Christus natus est, the faithful make their response to the news with unbuttoned exuberance: ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ accompanied by popping champagne corks.
from notes by Robert Quinney © 2008
Recordings
 A Christmas Caroll from Westminster AbbeyCDA67716  Hyperion presents a delightful and unusual selection of music for Christmas from the Abbey Choir. It encompasses all the diverse themes of Christmas which have inspired composers across the ages: light shining in darkness; the tenderness of mother an ...» More |
 Evensong Live 2015Studio Master: KGS0011Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available  A generous cross section of the music-making that happens at King’s, capturing the atmosphere and acoustic of the Chapel and presenting Evensong as a living and breathing part of our national heritage.» More |
 Poulenc: Gloria & MotetsCDA67623 Stephen Layton and Polyphony continue to blaze a trail as great interpreters and dazzling performers of a wide range of choral music. Their recent disc of Bruckner’s Mass in E minor and motets was acclaimed as a benchmark recording. For their latest ...» More |
 Poulenc: Gloria & other sacred musicCSCD506Download only  Collegium's recording offers an extensive selection of Poulenc's sacred choral music with the Gloria as centrepiece.» More |
 Poulenc: Mass & MotetsCDH55448 A generous selection of Poulenc’s wonderful and varied liturgical works, including some of Poulenc’s most beautiful and tender music as well as the famous Mass in G.» More |
 The King's Singers Christmas PresenceStudio Master: SIGCD497Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available  A new programme of 'seasonal favourites' from The King's Singers.» More |
 Voces 8 ChristmasStudio Master: SIGCD291Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available  BBC Music Magazine'Another winner from Signum is Voces 8's Christmas. As the name implies, these are eight young singers: two sopranos, two counter-tenors, two tenors, ...» More |
 A choral ChristmasStudio Master: SIGCD257Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available BBC Music MagazineThe Daily Telegraph» More |
 Christmas through the agesNOEL1Super-budget price sampler — Download only 'Other than to assure you that it works for me, need I say more?' (Fanfare, USA) 'If Christmas music is on your agenda–for yourself or for your best friends or most favored family members, this disc['s] original sources should make ...» More |
Details
No 1: O magnum mysterium
No 2: Quem vidistis pastores dicite
No 3: Videntes stellam
No 4: Hodie Christus natus est
O magnum mysterium
Artists
ISRC
GB-AJY-08-62312
Duration
3'15
Recording date
18 April 2007
Recording venue
All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London, United Kingdom
Recording producer
Adrian Peacock
Recording engineer
Mike Hatch
Hyperion usage
