Motet a 8 "O Magnum Mysterium" in E-flat major.

In anticipation for this year's Christmas Eve, I decided to try my hand at writing another religious motet. Considering the fact that the bulk of this piece has been composed merely in the span of yet another insomnia-driven bout of inspiration, perhaps its modest length may as well be a reflection of missed potential, as I reckon it could have been developed into a more complex structure should its latter half not have got stuck on a protracted pre-cadential spiral.

Once again, just as with my previous vocal fugue, the main goal of this composition was to make the text as intelligible as possible (specially taking into account the musical history of such a well-known textual setting), that is, within the confines and constraints of an 8-voice motet. This has ultimately led to some interesting contrapuntal oddities which, despite the preservation of independent voice-leading and thorough avoidance of melodic and harmonic blunders, have produced a number of somewhat unorthodox unresolved dissonances throughout. Nevertheless, I believe such contrapuntal licenses are more than sufficiently justified given the scope of this piece, as well as the sheer volume and density of its texture all the way through.

This piece was specifically conceived as a submission for this year's edition of the forum's Christmas Music Event, and shall be presented accordingly in its dedicated thread.

YouTube video link: 

Hi Pabio @Fugax Contrapunctus!

This is an absolute achievement to write an 8 part counterpoint with this beautiful effect! I myself wrote a 6 part one and felt like it's killing my brain, but an 8 part would sure will my whole body! The rhythm is so well used here to create space for each voice's counterpoint so the whole thing is smooth and flowing.

On 12/18/2025 at 2:02 PM, Fugax Contrapunctus said:

within the confines and constraints of an 8-voice motet. This has ultimately led to some interesting contrapuntal oddities which, despite the preservation of independent voice-leading and thorough avoidance of melodic and harmonic blunders, have produced a number of somewhat unorthodox unresolved dissonances throughout. Nevertheless, I believe such contrapuntal licenses are more than sufficiently justified given the scope of this piece, as well as the sheer volume and density of its texture all the way through.

Since it's an 8 part motet, all those "oddities" aren't odd at all! With more voices for sure the "rules" can be more lenient. The sonority is very rich and nothing feels wrong here! And this one is very fitting to the Christmas setting!

Thx very much for submitting this wonderful piece and joining the event!

Henry

Hi @Fugax Contrapunctus!

Only in choral music can so many individual lines at once still retain their individuality.  The tone colors of the different voice types are different enough as to grant them distinctiveness even when they're really close together or even overlapping.  And here I thought I was working with a lot of voices in my recent Christmas Mash-up for SMATBB!!!  Although even in that 6 voice arrangement, I sometimes use divisi.  Thanks for sharing this wonderful choral work!  It makes me wonder how apt Cantamus is at rendering words in other languages (like for example Polish since my Christmas Mash-up's so far feature Polish, English and Latin lyrics).  Great job!