Magnificat · Greenwood Chorale · Sacred Echoes

The Greenwood Chorale, directed by Paul Brown, performs Charles Gounod's "Magnificat" (CG 162) as part of "Sacred Echoes: Music from the French Romantic Period." Charles Gounod (1818–1893) was born in Paris into an artistic and musical family. A student at the Paris Conservatory, he won France's most prestigious musical prize, the Prix de Rome, which took him to Italy, Austria, and Prussia, where he met Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn's advocacy of Bach's music was an early and lasting influence on Gounod's compositional style. Deeply religious, Gounod briefly considered becoming a priest after his return to Paris. He composed prolifically across genres, writing church music, songs, orchestral music, and operas. The "Magnificat" was composed in 1874 as part of a larger work, "An Evening Service," which also includes the Nunc dimittis. Gounod's setting of the Magnificat text—Mary's song of praise from the Gospel of Luke—is characterized by its lyrical melodic lines, warm harmonic language, and expressive dynamic contrasts. The work moves from the intimate opening, "My soul doth magnify the Lord," to the triumphant closing doxology, showcasing Gounod's gift for crafting music that is both accessible and deeply moving. 🎵 From the concert "Sacred Echoes: Music from the French Romantic Period" · November 14, 2023 📍 First Presbyterian Church, Greenwood, Mississippi 🎹 Director: Paul Brown 🎹 Organ: Dr. Robert Knupp 📽️ Video Recording by Third Bird Films 📧 Interested in singing with the Greenwood Chorale? We are preparing for our 15th Anniversary Concert this December—Vivaldi's Gloria and Magnificat with a 15-piece chamber orchestra. We're looking for voices of all parts. Former members and new singers are welcome. Email our director, Paul Brown: pvbrown.rn@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe for more performances! #GreenwoodChorale #CharlesGounod #Magnificat #SacredEchoes #ChoralMusic #FrenchRomantic #CommunityChoir #Mississippi #JoinUs