John Rutter's Magnificat is a joyous celebration of the Virgin Mary, inspired by feast-day festivities in countries such as Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Following the example set by Bach, the Magnificat text is extended, incorporating the fifteenth-century English poem 'Of a Rose', the prayers 'Sancta Maria', and the 'Sanctus' (set to the Gregorian chant of the Missa cum jubilo). The full scores, for orchestra or chamber ensemble, are now available on sale for the first time in handsome, cloth-bound editions, and the newly set orchestral parts are available on hire.
Soprano/mezzo-soprano solo, SATB, full orchestra/chamber orchestra
Duration: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Orchestration: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bn, 4 hn, 3 tpt, 2 tbn, btbn, tba, timp, 2 perc (glock, SD, crash cym, sus cym, tamb, bongos), hp, str
