Rutter’s Magnificat Programme Notes

Music and the Magnificat

The Magnificat, as recorded in Luke’s Gospel, is a hymn that has become a cornerstone for music making within the Church for over two millennia. In the Gospel, Mary sings these words on hearing that she will bear the Son of God. Today, we see the text used liturgically in the Office of Vespers, and in its Anglican counterpart, Evensong. Brevity is often demanded of composers of the Magnificat, so that the piece may fit within the liturgical setting.

One notable exception from this rule of thumb is Bach’s musical setting. Rutter has taken inspiration for this work directly from Bach’s setting. Where Bach interpolates the text with Christmas texts, Rutter does likewise. Where Bach uses Gregorian plainchant associated with the text, Rutter does likewise. Where Bach concludes his work by revisiting the music of the first movement, Rutter does likewise. It is clear from where Rutter draws his inspiration.

The Music

The opening movement of Rutter’s Magnificat paints Mary’s joy with dance-like rhythms and strong melodies. Mary’s humility calls for a more subdued emotion, before returning to the dance motifs. The second movement is a beautiful setting of a 15^th century English poem. The poet describes the branching of the tree of Jesse, eventually leading to the birth of Jesus. The refrain “Of a Rose, a lovely Rose…” refers to Mary as a loving and pure shoot. The next movement, “Quia fecit mihi magna” (For he that is mighty) builds in a stately manner interposed with fanfares, before moving to a much calmer second half and ending with an excerpt of Gregorian chant. “Et misericordia” (And his mercy is on them) is the first movement in which we hear the beautiful flowing melodies that he writes for the Soprano soloist, in a pastoral tone. “Fecit potentiam” (He has showed strength with his arm), which is marked ‘Lively and energetic’, depicts the power of the Lord with fugal passages, and regular meter changes in line with the text “Dispersit superbos” (He has scattered the proud) serve to confuse the listener. The following movement, “Esurientes”, in which we hear of God’s mercy, calls once more for the Soprano solo, again in dialogue with the whole chorus. The final movement recapitulates the grand themes from the third movement. Again, Rutter has inserted a later text: Sancta Maria (Holy Mary), the antiphon from the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The work closes as it opened, with the bouncy, dance-like rhythmic and melodic figures of the first movement.

Samuel Foxon, 2022

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Text

Magnificat anima mea Dominum: et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.	My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
	Of a Rose, a love Rose,/Of a Rose is all my song. Hearken to me, both old and young,/How this Rose began to spring; A fairer rose to mine liking/In all this world ne know I none. Five branches of that rose there been,/The which be both fair and sheen; The rose is called Mary, heaven’s queen./Out of her bosom a blossom sprang. The first branch was of great honour:/That blest Marie should bear the flow’r; There came an angel from heaven’s tower/To break the devil’s bond. The second branch was great of might,/That sprang upon Christmas night; The star shone over Bethlem bright,/That man should see it both day and night. The third branch did spring and spread;/Three kings then the branch gan led Unto Our Lady in her child-bed;/Into Bethlem that branch sprang right. The fourth branch it sprang to hell,/The devil’s power for to fell: That no soul therein should dwell,/The branch so blessedfully sprang. The fifth branch it was so sweet,/It sprang to heav’n, both crop and root, Therein to dwell and be our *bote:/So blessedly it sprang
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum nomen eius. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.	For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his name. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Et misericordia eius a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.	And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo: dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.	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.
Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae. Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula.	Abraham et semini eius in saecula. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath helped his servant Israel. As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sancta Maria, succurre miseris, iuva pusillanimes, refove flebiles: ora pro populo, intervene pro clero, intercede pro devote femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum iuvamen, quicumque tuum sanctum implorant auxilium. Alleluia. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.	Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Holy Mary, succour those in need, help the faint-hearted, console the tearful: pray for the laity, assist the clergy, intercede for all devout women: may all feel the power of your help, whoever prays for your holy aid. Alleluia. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.