Magnificat

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Magnificat

The Magnificat (also known as the Song of Mary) is a canticle

Canticle

A canticle is a hymn taken from the Bible. The term is often expanded to include ancient non-biblical hymns such as the Te Deum and certain psalms used liturgy....
frequently sung (or spoken) liturgically

Liturgy

A liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to their particular traditions. The word may refer to an elaborate formal ritual such as the Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy and Mass , or a daily activity such as the Muslim salat and Jewish Jewish services....
in Christian

Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism#Christian view religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus and interpreted by Christians to have been prophesied in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament....
church services. The text of the canticle is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke

Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke is a Synoptic Gospels, and is the third and longest of the four Biblical canonical Gospels of the New Testament. The text narrates the life of Jesus of Nazareth....
where it is spoken by the Virgin Mary upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Elizabeth or Elisabeth is the Greek form ???s??et Elisavet of the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning "my God is an oath," "my God is abundance," "God's promise," or "oath of God." For more information about the name, see Elizabeth ....
.

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Encyclopedia

The Magnificat (also known as the Song of Mary) is a canticle

Canticle

Liturgy

Christian

Gospel of Luke

Elizabeth

John the Baptist

John the Baptist was a mission preacher and a major religious figure who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River in expectation of a divine apocalypse that would restore occupied Israel....
, the child moves within Elizabeth's womb. When Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith, Mary sings the Magnificat in response.

The canticle echoes several Old Testament biblical passages, but the most pronounced allusions are to the Song of Hannah

Song of Hannah

The Song of Hannah is a poem interrupting the prose text of the Books of Samuel. According to the surrounding narrative, the poem was a prayer delivered by Hannah , to give thanks to Tetragrammaton for the birth of her son, Samuel ....
, from the Books of Samuel

Books of Samuel

The Books of Samuel are part of the Tanakh and also of the Christianity Old Testament. The work was originally written in Hebrew language, and the Book of Samuel originally formed a single text, as they are often considered today in Hebrew bibles....
. Along with the Benedictus

Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)

The Benedictus , given in Gospel of Luke , is one of the three canticles in the opening chapters of this Gospel. The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John the Baptist....
, as well as several Old Testament canticles, the Magnificat is included in the Book of Odes

Book of Odes (Bible)

Odes is a book of the Bible found only in Eastern Orthodox Bibles and included or appended after Psalms in Alfred Rahlfs' critical edition of the Septuagint, coming from the fifth-century Codex Alexandrinus....
, an ancient liturgical collection found in some manuscripts of the Septuagint

Septuagint

The Septuagint , or simply "LXX", is the Koine Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, translated in stages between the 3rd century BC and 1st century BC in Alexandria....
.

Within Christianity

Christianity

Christianity is a Monotheistic religion #Christian view religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as New Testament view on Jesus' life....
, the Magnificat is most frequently recited within the Liturgy of the Hours

Liturgy of the hours

The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Roman Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the Clergy#Christian_clergy, Christian monasticism, and laity....
. In Western Christianity

Western Christianity

Western Christianity is a term used to include the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion and Protestantism, which share common attributes that can be traced back to their medieval heritage....
, the Magnificat is most often sung or recited during the main evening prayer service: Vespers

Vespers

Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican, and Lutheran Liturgy of the canonical hours....
within Roman Catholicism and Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer (Anglican)

Evening Prayer is a liturgy in use in the Anglican Communion and celebrated in the late afternoon or evening. It is also commonly known as Evensong, especially when the office is rendered choir ....
within Anglicanism

Anglicanism

Anglicanism is a tradition of Christianity faith. Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs, worship and church structures....
. In Eastern Christianity

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Christianity refers collectively to the Christianity traditions and churches which developed in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Christianity in Africa and southern India over several centuries of religious antiquity....
, the Magnificat is usually sung at Sunday Matins

Matins

Matins is the early morning or night prayer service in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicanism, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodoxy liturgy of the canonical hours....
. Within protestant groups, the Magnificat may be sung during worship services.

Text

Like all other New Testament

New Testament

The New Testament is the name given to the second major division of the Christianity Bible, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
texts the Magnificat was originally written in Greek

Greek language

Greek is an Indo-European languages native to the southern Balkan peninsula, the language of the Greek people. It forms an independent branch within Indo-European....
. However, in the Western Church it is most often to be found in Latin or the vernacular. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version (see incipit

Incipit

The incipit of a text, such as a poem, song, or book, is its first few words or opening line. In music it can also refer to the opening notes of a composition....
).

Greek:

?e?a???e? ? ???? µ?? t?? ??????

?a? ??a???ase? t? p?e?µ? µ?? ?p? t? Te? t? s?t??? µ??,

?t? ?p?ß?e?e? ?p? t?? tape???s?? t?? d????? a?t??.

?d?? ??? ?p? t?? ??? µa?a????s?? µe p?sa? a? ?e?ea?,

?t? ?p???s?? µ?? µe???a ? d??at??,

?a? ????? t? ???µa a?t??,

?a? t? ??e?? a?t?? e?? ?e?e?? ?a? ?e?e??

t??? f?ß??µ????? a?t??.

?p???se? ???t?? ?? ß?a????? a?t??,

d?es???p?se? ?pe??f????? d?a???? ?a?d?a? a?t??·

?a?e??e? d???sta? ?p? ??????

?a? ???se? tape?????,

pe????ta? ???p??se? ??a???

?a? p???t???ta? ??ap?ste??e? ?e????.

??te??ßet? ?s?a?? pa?d?? a?t??,

µ??s???a? ??????,

?a??? ?????se? p??? t??? pat??a? ?µ??

t? ?ß?a?µ ?a? t? sp??µat? a?t?? e?? t?? a???a.

Latin:

Magnificat anima mea Dominum,

et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,

quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.

Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,

quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est,

et sanctum nomen eius,

et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies

timentibus eum.

Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,

dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;

deposuit potentes de sede

et exaltavit humiles;

esurientes implevit bonis

et divites dimisit inanes.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum,

recordatus misericordiae,

sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,

Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that originated in Anglo-Saxon England and has lingua franca status in many parts of the world as a result of the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the British Empire in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and that of the United States from the mid 20th century onwa...
(Douay-Rheims):

My soul doth magnify the Lord.

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:

As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

English (Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer is the common title of a number of prayer books of the Church of England and used throughout the Anglican Communion. The first book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI of England, was a product of the English Reformation following the break with Roman Catholic Church....
):

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 shewed 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.

English (The Divine Office

Divine Office

Divine Office may refer to:* Liturgy of the Hours, the recitation of certain Christian prayers at fixed hours according to the discipline of the Roman Catholic Church...
):

My soul glorifies the Lord, *

my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.

He looks on his servant in her lowliness; *

henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me. *

Holy his name!

His mercy is from age to age, *

on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength *

and scatters the proud-hearted.

He casts the mighty from their thrones *

and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things, *

sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant, *

remembering his mercy,

the mercy promised to our fathers, *

to Abraham and his sons for ever.

English (Common Worship
Common Worship

Common Worship is the name given to the series of services authorised by the General Synod of the Church of England and launched on the first Sunday of Advent in 2000....
):

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed;

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,

to remember his promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Liturgical use

The text forms a part of the daily office

Canonical hours

Canonical hours are divisions of time, developed by the Christianity Christian Church, serving as increments between the prescribed prayers of the daily round....
in the Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church, officially known as the Catholic Church is the world's largest Christianity Ecclesia , representing over half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world population....
Vespers

Vespers

Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican, and Lutheran Liturgy of the canonical hours....
service, the Lutheran Vespers

Vespers

Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican, and Lutheran Liturgy of the canonical hours....
or Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer may refer to:*Evening Prayer , the Anglican service of Evening Prayer*Vespers, the Roman Catholic service of Evening Prayer* Ma'ariv, the evening prayer in Judaism. See Jewish services...
according to both the Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer is the common title of a number of prayer books of the Church of England and used throughout the Anglican Communion. The first book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI of England, was a product of the English Reformation following the break with Roman Catholic Church....
and Common Worship
Common Worship

Common Worship is the name given to the series of services authorised by the General Synod of the Church of England and launched on the first Sunday of Advent in 2000....
(see Evening Prayer (Anglican)

Evening Prayer (Anglican)

Nunc dimittis

The Nunc dimittis is a canticle from a text in the second chapter of Gospel of Luke named after its first words in Latin language.Simeon the Righteous was a devout Jew who, according to the book of Luke, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Saviour....
. (Modern Anglican rubrics generally allow for a wider selection of canticles at Evening Prayer; but the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis remain the most popular.) In Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic services it is generally followed by the Gloria Patri

Glory Be to the Father

Glory Be to the Father, also known as Gloria Patri, is a doxology, a short hymn of praise to God in various Christianity liturgy. It is also referred to as the Minor Doxology or Lesser Doxology, to distinguish it from the Greater Doxology, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo....
. It has accordingly been a popular text for many composers.

Perhaps the best known Magnificats are those from Claudio Monteverdi

Claudio Monteverdi

Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi , was an Italian composer, viol, and singer.Monteverdi's work, often regarded as revolutionary, marked the transition from the music of the Renaissance music to that of the Baroque music....
's Vespers for the Blessed Virgin, 1610

Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610 (Monteverdi)

Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610 , or simply the Vespers of 1610, as it is commonly called, is a musical composition by Claudio Monteverdi....
or the extended setting by Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and organ whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque music period and brought it to its ultimate maturity....
, BWV 243

Magnificat (Bach)

The Magnificat in D major, BWV 243, is one of the major vocal works of Johann Sebastian Bach. It was composed for an orchestra and choir of five voices....
. In the same vein, many other "classical" composers such as Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed il Prete Rosso , was a Baroque music composer and Venice priest, as well as a famous virtuoso violinist, born and raised in the Republic of Venice....
and Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conducting. He was one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, the last great representative of Russian late Romantic music in classical music....
and more recently John Rutter

John Rutter

John Milford Rutter Order of the British Empire is an England composer, choir conducting, editing, arranger and record producer.Born in London, he was educated at Highgate School, where a fellow pupil was John Tavener....
have set extended versions for orchestra, chorus, and solos. However, most of these concerted settings were neither intended nor convenient for liturgical use; more often choirs will sing a shorter, simpler setting a cappella

A cappella

Acappella music is vocal music or singing without musical instrument accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance music polyphony and Baroque concertato style....
or with only organ accompaniment. Several such settings from the Renaissance

Renaissance music

Renaissance music is European music written during the Renaissance, approximately 1400 - 1600. Dates of classical music eras, given the lack of abrupt shifts in musical thinking during the 15th century....
remain popular (for example, that of Thomas Tallis

Thomas Tallis

Thomas Tallis was an English composer. Tallis flourished as a church musician in Tudor period. He occupies a primary place in anthologies of English church music, and is considered among the best of its earliest composers....
); and nearly every composer in the 19th and 20th century Anglican choral tradition

Anglican church music

Anglican church music is music that is written for liturgy performance in Anglicanism church services.Almost all of it is written for choir with or without organ accompaniment....
has composed one or more settings of the "Mag and Nunc", as have Arvo Pärt

Arvo Pärt

Arvo P?rt , is an Estonian classical composer. P?rt works in a minimalist style that employs tintinnabulation and hypnotic repetitions influenced by the intellectual counterpoint elements of European jazz, but fitting into European-American classical post-modernism rather than so-called world music....
and John Tavener

John Tavener

Sir John Tavener is a United Kingdom composer,British honours systemed in 2000 for his services to music....
. Since these canticles are sung nearly every day at some Cathedrals and Oxbridge

Oxbridge

Oxbridge was originally a fictional composite of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England, and the term is now used to refer to them collectively, often with implications of superior intellectual or social status, emphasising the apparent "difficulty" of gaining admission....
college chapels, there is a real need for multiple settings; at its extreme this led such composers as Charles Villiers Stanford

Charles Villiers Stanford

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was an Irish composer, resident in England for much of his life....
to write a Magnificat in every major key; Herbert Howells

Herbert Howells

Herbert Norman Howells Order of the Companions of Honour was an English composer, organ , and teacher....
, another noted composer of these canticles, published twenty settings of them over his career.

In Eastern Orthodox

Eastern Orthodox Church

The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian communion in the world with an estimated 225 million members worldwide. It is considered by its adherents to be the Four Marks of the Church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles nearly 2000 years ago....
worship, the Magnificat is usually sung during the Matins

Matins

Matins is the early morning or night prayer service in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicanism, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodoxy liturgy of the canonical hours....
service before the Irmos
Irmos

The irmos is the initial verse of each individual ode in a canon , sung by the choir; from the Greek verb "to tie," meaning that it poetically connects the ode to the subject of the canon....
of the ninth ode of the canon

Canon (hymnography)

A canon is a structured hymn used in a number of Eastern Orthodoxy services. It consists of nine odes, sometimes called canticles or songs depending on the translation, based on the Biblical canticles....
. After each verse the troparion

Troparion

A troparion in Byzantine music and in the religious music of Eastern Orthodoxy is a short hymn of one stanza, or one of a series of stanzas....
is sung:

"More honourable than the Cherub

Cherub

A cherub is a form of angel mentioned several times in the Bible.Cherubs are described as winged beings. The biblical prophet Ezekiel describes the cherubim as a tetrad of living creatures, each having four faces: of a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a man....
im, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraph

Seraph

A seraph is one of a class of celestial beings mentioned once in the Hebrew Bible , in Book of Isaiah. Later Jewish imagery perceived them as having human form, and in that way they passed into the ranks of Christian angels....
im, without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word

Logos

is an important term in philosophy, analytical psychology, rhetoric and religion.Heraclitus established the term in Western philosophy as meaning both the source and fundamental order of the cosmos....
: true Theotokos

Theotokos

Theotokos is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches....
, we magnify thee."

Society and politics

In Nicaragua, the Magnificat is a favourite prayer among many peasants and is often carried as an amulet. During the Somoza
Somoza

The Somoza family was an influential political dynasty in Nicaragua. Their influence exceeded their combined 43 years in the de facto presidency, as they were the power behind the other presidents of the time through their control of the National Guard ....
years, campesinos were required to carry proof of having voted for Somoza and this document was mockingly referred to as the Magnificat.

Magnificat

Text

Liturgical use

Society and politics

External links