Magnificat - Musical Settings

Musical Settings

As the Magnificat is part of the sung Vespers, many composers, starting with the Renaissance, set the words, for example Claudio Monteverdi in his Vespers for the Blessed Virgin, 1610. Vivaldi composed a setting of the Latin text for soloists, choir and orchestra, also Johann Sebastian Bach in his Magnificat, BWV 243, for the Christmas vespers of 1723. Bach set the German words in his cantata for Visitation of 1724, Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10. Anton Bruckner composed a Magnificat for soloists, choir, orchestra and organ. Rachmaninoff, and more recently John Rutter also set extended versions of the text. Arvo Pärt composed a setting for choir a cappella.

Together with the Nunc dimittis, the Magnificat is a regular part of the Anglican Evensong. The "Mag and Nunc" was set by many composers - such as Thomas Tallis, Herbert Sumsion, Charles Wood and John Tavener - of Anglican church music, often for choir a cappella or choir and organ. Since the canticles are sung every day at some cathedrals, Charles Villiers Stanford wrote a Magnificat in every major key, and Herbert Howells published twenty settings over his career.

• see also: List of composers who set Magnificat (German)