Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
The Magnificat (Song of Mary) and Nunc dimittis (Song of Simeon) are biblical canticles. Mary sings the Magnificat (“My soul doth magnify the Lord”) on the occasion of her visit to Elizabeth, as narrated in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39–56). Simeon sings the Nunc dimittis (“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace”) when Jesus is presented in the temple (Luke 2:29–32). The canticles are part of the daily service of Evening Prayer (Evensong) in the Anglican church and have been set to music frequently in English, Latin, and other languages.
This setting was composed in 2016 for the women’s voices of St Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral of Minneapolis. It can be performed by any two-part treble ensemble, either Soprano I/II or Soprano/Alto. The two canticles can also be performed separately; the Magnificat text is appropriate for Christmas/Advent.
To see a recorded video performance by the choir of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Denver, Colorado click here for the Magnificat and here for the Nunc Dimittis.
The organ part has also been arranged for both piano 2- and 4-hands. Contact the composer directly at [email protected].
| Descriptive Tags: | Adoration, American, Celebratory, Jesus, Liturgical text, Prayer, Scriptural text, Virgin Mary, Worship |
| Difficulty: | Easy, Medium |
| Duration: | 5-10 Minutes |
| Instrumentation: | Organ, Piano, piano 4 hands |
| Language: | English |
| Season or Event: | Advent, Christmas, Divine Liturgy, Evensong, General, Praise to Virgin Mary |
| Voicing: | SA, SS |
$2.00
This title is available in print or for immediate download. For both options, there is a minimum required quantity of 8 copies for choral titles. Please support self-publishing composers by ordering the quantity according to the number of singers in the ensemble that will perform the work.
Print orders are printed on demand and shipped by our printing partner, and can be expected to be processed within a few days of the order. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] to follow up.
Explore More Music…
Title | View | Voicing | Duration | Language | Composer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SATB | 2' 50" | English | This modern English version of a 9th Century Old Irish benediction lends itself well to both concert and liturgical performance. Liturgically, it fits well as a call to worship or as a communion meditation. The text recalls the doxology given in Revelation 7:12. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This modern English version of a 9th Century Old Irish benediction lends itself well to both concert and liturgical performance. Liturgically, it fits well as a call to worship or as a communion meditation. The text recalls the doxology given in Revelation 7:12. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB ⋅ SSAATTBB | 7'20" | Latin | “Cantemus in omni die” is a setting of a hymn to the Virgin Mary written by Cú Chuimne Sapiens, an Irish monk active at Iona by the early 8th century (died 747). It is the earliest known Latin hymn to Mary originally composed in the Western Christian Church rather than translated into Latin from earlier […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Cantemus in omni die” is a setting of a hymn to the Virgin Mary written by Cú Chuimne Sapiens, an Irish monk active at Iona by the early 8th century (died 747). It is the earliest known Latin hymn to Mary originally composed in the Western Christian Church rather than translated into Latin from earlier […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 4'24" | English | Premiered in June 2018 by San Francisco Choral Artists, “Fare Ye Well My Darlin'” is a tender, dramatic arrangement of an American folksong, perhaps dating from the Civil War. A soldier bids farewell to his beloved as he leaves for war. Will he ever return? At a glance Difficulty: moderate For strong univiersity, community, or […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiered in June 2018 by San Francisco Choral Artists, “Fare Ye Well My Darlin'” is a tender, dramatic arrangement of an American folksong, perhaps dating from the Civil War. A soldier bids farewell to his beloved as he leaves for war. Will he ever return? At a glance Difficulty: moderate For strong univiersity, community, or […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 3'30" | English | This setting of the Gloria text in English is excerpted from a longer Anglican communion/mass service — Communion Service in D — also published on Swirly (including settings of the Hosanna, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei). The Gloria is a simple, tuneful arrangement that can be performed as a general-purpose anthem or during the Christmas season. […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This setting of the Gloria text in English is excerpted from a longer Anglican communion/mass service — Communion Service in D — also published on Swirly (including settings of the Hosanna, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei). The Gloria is a simple, tuneful arrangement that can be performed as a general-purpose anthem or during the Christmas season. […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SSAATB | 3'28" | English | (Choral SATB with S,A divisi) Written for a choral composition competition in 2024 (I didn’t win), this piece uses the text of Psalm 13 to demonstrate David’s dispair and doubt turning into faith and joy. Text in English is from the 1928 US Books of Common Prayer vv. 1-3, 5-6. ISMN 979-0-9025253-5-0 ISWC T3250054634 If […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Choral SATB with S,A divisi) Written for a choral composition competition in 2024 (I didn’t win), this piece uses the text of Psalm 13 to demonstrate David’s dispair and doubt turning into faith and joy. Text in English is from the 1928 US Books of Common Prayer vv. 1-3, 5-6. ISMN 979-0-9025253-5-0 ISWC T3250054634 If […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB ⋅ SSAATTBB | 3' | Latin | O Lux is at once reminiscent of Renaissance motets and at home in the contemporary canon. The lyrical and ultimately transcendent piece features a cascading theme that is layered canonically. The piece has been performed by both high school and professional choirs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
O Lux is at once reminiscent of Renaissance motets and at home in the contemporary canon. The lyrical and ultimately transcendent piece features a cascading theme that is layered canonically. The piece has been performed by both high school and professional choirs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 2'20" | English ⋅ Latin | A lovely setting of the well-known communion prayer by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), this version has the choir sing both the original Latin and later in English translation. This anthem is indicative of my compositional style, including rapidly shifting harmonic centers. However, it is very approachable for both the singers and listeners, employing simple four-part harmonies […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A lovely setting of the well-known communion prayer by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), this version has the choir sing both the original Latin and later in English translation. This anthem is indicative of my compositional style, including rapidly shifting harmonic centers. However, it is very approachable for both the singers and listeners, employing simple four-part harmonies […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 4' | English | This beloved folk tune has been arranged with optional, muted trumpet (the timbre adds to the mood of the piece). The piano accompaniment expands the 4-part harmony of the choir to suggest more contemporary harmony with a few jazz chords. It’s not overdone, however; “Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger” is still a traditional, compelling portrait of a […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This beloved folk tune has been arranged with optional, muted trumpet (the timbre adds to the mood of the piece). The piano accompaniment expands the 4-part harmony of the choir to suggest more contemporary harmony with a few jazz chords. It’s not overdone, however; “Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger” is still a traditional, compelling portrait of a […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 5' | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3'30" | Nearly every December, Christmas sneaks up on me far too quickly, busy as I am with end-of-semester grading and final exams. I’m an admittedly nostalgic guy who unabashedly loves Christmas music, and every year I think to myself ‘I really should have written a Christmas piece this year’. Christmas 2015 followed a similar pattern, except […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nearly every December, Christmas sneaks up on me far too quickly, busy as I am with end-of-semester grading and final exams. I’m an admittedly nostalgic guy who unabashedly loves Christmas music, and every year I think to myself ‘I really should have written a Christmas piece this year’. Christmas 2015 followed a similar pattern, except […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||