Schola Cantorum Jubilate (SCJ) will take its audience on a powerful journey this Christmas, right into the heart of the nativity story.

Set within the beauty and theological opulence of Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, SCJ’s Grand Christmas Concert is a feast of voice and music, intertwined with faith and the peace and joy synonymous with the season.

“It’s difficult to express in words what is going to happen during this concert,” says Choir Leader Stefan Attard. “One has to be there as what we are planning will make an impact on those present.”

He went on to say that, “we can promise a shower of emotions through a combination of different elements: the music, the ambiance of the Neo-Romanesque shrine, and the artistic and contemporary effects created specifically for this concert – a plethora of emotions that are bound to fill one’s heart with the true Christmas spirit!”

The concert does in fact borrow its name from O Magnum Mysterium, a piece in the repertoire with text originating from the Matins of Christmas in the Roman Breviary. Apart from this magnificent piece, the repertoire includes popular carols and other less popular ones that narrate the Christmas story through music, aptly described by Marouska Attard, Choir Conductor, as “a choral feast”.

She said that, “the repertoire includes Morten Lauridsen’s meaningful peace O Magnum Mysterium and Philip Stopford’s Lully Lulla Lullay, an a capella piece chosen to mark the feast day of the Holy Innocents, as well as Dan Forrest’s Shalom and Kim Anderson’s The Cradle Hymn.”

“These pieces are still relatively new to a Maltese audience but will surely deepen the musical spectrum of our listeners. We will also be including John Rutter’s Joy To The World and his newly composed piece Joseph’s Carol,” explained Marouska.

The concert will also include pieces by local composers including, Paul Portelli’s new composition in Maltese, X’Qed Tahseb Marija, “exquisitely written for our female section,” adds Marouska.

Together with the Cordia String Quartet, the SCJ Adults’ Choir and SCJ Teenage Boys Singers will be accompanied by pianist Anna Magrin and organist Joseph Camilleri, all under the direction of Marouska Attard, with the addition of pieces performed a capella.

O Magnum Mysterium is set to take the audience on an acoustic exploration inside a magnificent shrine, with diverse voice projections that, together with the unique architecture, merge to create an unforgettable experience.

SCJ invites everyone to join them and live the most powerful story ever told through an expertly curated repertoire of sacred music. The Grand Christmas Concert is on Thursday, the 29th of December, starting at 7.30pm. Entrance is free and all are welcome.

O Magnum Mysterium is being organised in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo.

Set up in the year 2000, Schola Cantorum Jubilate said it has established itself as “one of the affirmed choirs in Malta.”

“Schola Cantorum Jubilate is committed to enrich the local choral scene with a high level of choral artistry; with vocal technique and musicology that lead to professional singers; as well as a drive to support the growth of choristers with enriching life experiences for the heart and mind, with particular attention given to emerging artists,” it said.

Follow Schola Cantorum Jubilate on Facebook, Instagram and www.scjchoir.com for updates on upcoming events.

Permalink: O Magnum Mysterium: SCJ’s Grand Christmas Concert