Composer

:

Hildegard von Bingen

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

ca. 1140 - 1179

Average_duration

:

5:09

'O quam magnum miraculum' is a sacred vocal composition composed by Hildegard von Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, and philosopher of the 12th century. The piece is a hymn that praises the Virgin Mary and her role in the salvation of humanity. It is one of the most famous compositions of Hildegard von Bingen and is considered a masterpiece of medieval music. The exact date of composition of 'O quam magnum miraculum' is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the early 12th century. The piece was first performed in the abbey of Disibodenberg, where Hildegard von Bingen lived and worked for most of her life. The composition was later included in Hildegard's collection of liturgical songs, known as the 'Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum'. 'O quam magnum miraculum' consists of a single movement, which is divided into several sections. The piece begins with a solo voice singing the opening phrase, "O quam magnum miraculum est virginem," which is then repeated by a choir. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a strong emphasis on the first syllable of each word. The text praises the Virgin Mary for her role in the salvation of humanity and her purity and holiness. The second section of the piece features a solo voice singing a new melody, "O Maria, Dei cella," which is then repeated by the choir. This section is more melismatic and ornate than the first, with the solo voice embellishing the melody with intricate melodic flourishes. The text continues to praise the Virgin Mary and her virtues. The third section of the piece returns to the melody of the first section, with the choir singing the text "O quam gloriosum est regnum," which praises the glory of heaven and the saints. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a strong emphasis on the first syllable of each word. The final section of the piece features a solo voice singing a new melody, "O Maria, maris stella," which is then repeated by the choir. This section is the most ornate and complex of the piece, with the solo voice performing intricate melismatic passages and the choir providing a rich harmonic backdrop. The text continues to praise the Virgin Mary and her role in the salvation of humanity. Overall, 'O quam magnum miraculum' is a beautiful and powerful hymn that showcases Hildegard von Bingen's skill as a composer and her devotion to the Virgin Mary. The piece is characterized by its simple yet powerful melodies, its use of repetition and variation, and its rich harmonies. It remains a beloved and influential work of medieval music to this day.

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