Dum Sacrum Mysterium (2024)

For SATB choir (3')

Description:

Stillness at the edge of revelation

Written for Advent, Dum Sacrum Mysterium sets a vivid Latin text drawn from the Book of Revelation. This four-part a cappella motet uses mixed meter, careful pacing, and luminous dissonance to evoke a sense of mystery, reverence, and spiritual longing. Neither showy nor static, it creates a haunting atmosphere of expectation—suitable for candlelit liturgies, Lessons and Carols, or contemplative concert settings. A unique and moving addition to the Advent repertoire.

Written for Jim Hopkins and All Saints Church, New York City.

This work doesn't yet have a score video, so please email me for a perusal copy and live recording if you're interested in performing the work: Nicholas.Landrum@gmail.com

Text:

Dum sacrum mystérium cérneret Ioánnes, 

Archángelus Míchaël tuba cécinit: 

Ignósce, Dómine, Deus noster, 

qui áperis librum, 

et solvis signácula eius, 

allelúia 

Translation:

Whilst John beheld the sacred mystery, 

the Archangel Michael sounded the trumpet: 

Forgive us, O Lord our God, 

that openest the book, 

and loosest the seals thereof, 

alleluia. 

Tags: SATB, a cappella, Latin, mixed meter, sacred, contemplative, Advent, Revelation