Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis 'Omnium Sanctorum' (2015)

for SATB choir and organ

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Omnium Sanctorum)
CA$3.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

Text: Book of Common Prayer
Duration: 7 minutes
Difficulty: 2/4

First performed in London, UK by the Choir of St. Pancras Parish Church (Dr. Christopher Batchelor, dir.) in May 2021, as part of the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music.

In my experience as a chorister in the Anglican church, I was constantly inspired by the myriad interpretations the 'Mag and Nunc' could elicit from composers throughout the centuries; this is my attempt to write my own, deeply personal version. The Magnificat is a series of musical episodes, exploring the varying emotions of each verse in this historic text. The Nunc Dimittis, on the other hand, is a thoroughly passionate and sorrowful song. This setting was written for Jeremy Spurgeon and the choir at All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Edmonton, Canada.

Click here to see the complete score.

The audio below is from the first performance by the Choir of St. Pancras Parish Church (Dr. Christopher Batchelor, dir.) in May 2021.

Full Text


Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me;
and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm;
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy
hath holpen his servant Israel;
As he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.