Composer

:

Michael Praetorius

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

2:53

A Great and Mighty Wonder is a Christmas hymn composed by Michael Praetorius in the 17th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the early 1600s. The hymn is based on a Latin poem by St. Germanus of Constantinople, which tells the story of the Nativity. The hymn has four movements, each of which tells a different part of the story of the Nativity. The first movement describes the birth of Jesus and the angels' announcement to the shepherds. The second movement tells of the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem. The third movement describes the joy of the angels and the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. The final movement is a prayer for peace and salvation. The hymn is characterized by its joyful and celebratory tone, which reflects the joy of the Nativity. The melody is simple and easy to sing, making it a popular choice for Christmas carols. The harmonies are also simple, with a focus on the major key and the use of simple chord progressions. Overall, A Great and Mighty Wonder is a beautiful and uplifting hymn that captures the spirit of Christmas. Its timeless message of peace and salvation continues to resonate with people around the world, making it a beloved part of the Christmas tradition.

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