By request of Auntie Lib, today’s selection is a Magnificat, also sometimes known as the Song of Mary. The text of the Magnificat is found in Luke 1:46-55. The context is this: Mary was told by the Archangel Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth, a woman past child-bearing years, was six months pregnant with the little boy who would grow to become John the Baptist. Mary, in the midst of her own confusion and concerns, up and visited her cousin out in the hill-country. Elizabeth greeted her and proclaimed that when she heard the sound of Mary’s voice, the child in her womb leapt for joy. The Magnificat– Mary’s Song of Praise to God– was Mary’s reply.
This event is called the Visitation– as such, it means much to me, who attended a school run by the Visitation nuns. This story features heavily in the particular spirituality of the order, and in the religious guidance of the many girls they teach throughout the world. Meditating on the story leads to insight into the character of these two suburb women– examples that all women would do well to follow, and all men would do well to respect and encourage. The Magnificat itself gives great insight into Mary’s thoughts regarding her life at that time.
I listened to quite a few recordings– there are many Magnificats out there. Entire Cantatas have been written using solely this text. However, because I’m a sucker for polyphony, you all get to listed to the Magnificat Primi Toni by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (the man credited with saving music in western churches-long story). If you like this, you’ll love the Missa Papae Marcelli (the work legend has it that saved music in the west. . .)
Please, enjoy