SANCTUM

New Album Releases to Bandcamp April 16 2025
order from HERE

Available on all streaming services GOOD FRIDAY April 18

A sacred collection featuring remasters and remixes alongside new recordings.
Most of these pieces are available from michaelmcglynn.com as Sheet Music

1. Kyrie

2. O Ignis Spiritus

3. Caligaverunt Oculi Mei

4. Christus Resurgens (12th Cent. Irish)

5. Suantraí

6. O Viridissima Virga

7. Miserere Miseris (14th Cent. Irish)

8. Quis est Deus

9. Pater Noster

10. Prophetarum Presignata (14th Cent. Irish)

11. Igitur Servus (14th Cent. Irish)

12. O Maria

13. Quem Queritis (14th Cent. Irish)

14. Hymn to the Virgin

All music composed by Michael McGlynn except Christus Resurgens, Miserere Miseris, Igitur Servus, Prophetarum Presignata and Quem Queritis - all arranged by Michael. Produced and Edited by Michael McGlynn & Brian Masterson

Mastered by Brian Masterson April 2025

Thank you to Dr. Ann Buckley for her continuing inspiration

Sanctum is a 14-track album featuring spiritual music that includes nine pieces composed by myself across the last four decades, alongside five early Irish works which I have arranged, that date from the 12th to the 14th century.

It’s strange for me listening to this collection as one album, as despite the span of years between the first and the last composition, there is a consistency of harmonic and melodic thought. There is also a pattern of intent behind the works. Text, to me, is so important in my compositions, which explains my attraction to poetry such as Caligaverunt Oculi Mei and my settings of the stunning poetry of Hildegard von Bingen. Each in their own way illuminates a huge span of human thought and human emotion.

And yet, there is also intimacy portrayed in Suantraí, where we see an image of a mother singing a lullaby to her baby. She reflects on her feelings but also understands that this child will change the course of human history.

In these dark times, music which forces us to look away from this turbulent world has an important place in our society – more so, probably, than when I originally composed and arranged these works. My motivation for setting the early pieces was to bring these otherwise lost fragments into our contemporary world in a way that would introduce people who were unfamiliar with the choral genre to access what I thought were some of the most profound and beautiful statements ever created in Irish culture.

I was recently asked about the nature of my writing and what I find easy or difficult to compose. Surprisingly, I realised that secular music, which most distinctly conveys my personal compositional voice, is often the most challenging for me. In contrast, spiritual music, which I seldom get the opportunity to create, flows with remarkable ease. This may be because my secular work involves crafting a specific harmonic language that reflects who I am, whereas my sacred work draws upon the myriad experiences I've had performing early music and listening to the great composers such as Gesualdo, Victoria, and Palestrina.

Spiritual music has always been part of ANÚNA’s performances and recordings. I think that is because I don’t distinguish between human expression and religious expression. For me they are all the same thing – they come from the same source. I have always been inspired by a connection to the past and to the land. Ireland itself contains the memories of all those who have worshipped and lived, absorbed into the spirit of the land itself.

I hope people will enjoy this collection and find something in it for themselves.

Michael McGlynn April 2025

KYRIE (1991)

Composer: Michael McGlynn
Soloists: Monica Donlon, Michael McGlynn,

Kyrie eleison/Christe eleison.

Lord have mercy/Christ have mercy.

O Ignis Spiritus (2002)

Composer: Michael McGlynn
Text: Hildegard of Bingen
Soloists: Monica Donlon, Miriam Blennerhassett
Saxophone: Kenneth Edge

O ignis spiritus paracliti,
vita vite omnis creature,
sanctus es vivificando formas
Sanctus es unguendo periculose fractos:
Sanctus es tergendo fetida vulnera.
O spiraculum sanctitatis,
O ignis caritatis,
O fons purissimus,
O iter fortissimum.

O fire of the Paraclete Spirit,
life of the life of every creature,
you are holy in giving life to forms.
You are holy in anointing the dangerously broken;
you are holy in cleansing foul wounds.
O breath of holiness,
O fire of love,
O most pure fountain,
O strongest path.

Commissioned by the National Concert Hall, Dublin for Rajaton 2002

Caligaverunt Oculi Mei (1999)

Composed by Michael McGlynn

Caligaverunt oculi mei a fletu meo:
quia elongatus est a me, qui consolabatur me:
Videte, omnes populi, si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus.
O vos omnes, qui transitis per viam, attendite, et videte
si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus

My eyes have grown dim with my weeping,
for the one who consoled me is far from me.
Look, all you peoples, if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.
O all you who pass by on the road, pay attention and see
if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.

CHRISTUS RESURGENS (1999)

Arranged by Michael McGlynn
Percussion: Bernard O’Reilly

This melody and text comes originally from the 12th century Irish processional antiphon “Dicant Nunc Iudae”.

Christus resurgens ex mortuis, jam non moritur, alleluia
Mors illi ultra non dominabitur, alleluia

Christ has arisen from the dead and dies no more, alleluia.
Death will no longer have dominion over Him, alleluia

Suantraí (2018)

Composer: Michael McGlynn
Text: Traditional Irish
Soloist: Aisling McGlynn

A ghrá na súl atá 'mo thrá
A ghrá mo chroí 'tá ghrámhar lán
Cé gur leanbh thú gan cháil
Is iomaí bua duit i ndán

Cuirfead mo rúin chun suain
Cuirfeadh mo rúin in a luí
Alleluia

A ghrian gheal thuas sa spéir ghlan thú
Is solas tú san oíche dhubh
Saorfaidh tú ó chách an brón
'Gus béarfaidh eolas naofacht dúinn.

O love of the eyes who is my ebbing,
O love of my heart, who is lovingly full,
Though you are a child without reputation,
Many victories are destined for you.

I will send my love to sleep,
I will lay my love down,
Alleluia.

You are the bright sun above in the clear sky,
You are light in the black night,
You will free all from sorrow,
And you will bring us knowledge of holiness.

O Viridissima Virga (1995)

Soloists Máire Lang, Eimear Quinn

Abbess Hildegard von Bingen (1098 to 1179) was an author and poet. She wrote some of the most beautiful vocal music of the Middle Ages. Ave Generosa is a short extract from one of these chants. O Viridissima Virga is my personal responses to the inspiration she continues over 900 years later.

Ave generosa gloriosa et intacta puella
Tu pupilla castitatis,
Tu materia sanctitatis placuit.

Hail, girl of nobility unstained and shining
You, pupil in the eye of chastity,
You, embodiment of holiness pleasing unto God.

Hail greenest branch come forth into the gentle breezes.
The time has come when your fruit shall flourish in the warmth of the Sun.
The sky will place the gentle dew upon the fields,
The rose, that wondrous flower, shall fill the air with sweet perfume.

Miserere Miseris (1999)

Arranged by Michael McGlynn
Soloists: Kim Lynch, Michael McGlynn, Lucy Champion.

14th Century Irish, from “The Dublin Troper”

Miserere miseris fons misericordie
Si misera fueris parit aula glorie,
honor nostri generis,
archa novi federis, et aurora gracie.

Have mercy on the wretched, O fount of mercy.
If you were ever wretched, you gave birth to the hall of glory,
honour of our race,
ark of the new covenant, and dawn of grace.

Quis est Deus (1994)

Composer: Michael McGlynn
Text: Irish
Soloists Andrea Delaney, Nejc Rudel

This short poem, found among the works of Bishop Tírechán, probably dates back to the early 600's. It may even be the work of St. Patrick. (d. 492).

Quis est Deus et ubi est Deus et cuius est Deus et ubi habitaculum eius?
Si habet filios et filias, arum et argentum, Deus vester?
Si vivus semper, si pulcher, si filium eius nutrierunt multi? Deus vester?
Si filiae eius carae et pulchrae sunt hominibus mundi? Deus vester?
Si in caelo an in terra est?
In aequore, in fluminibus, in montanis, in convallibus?
Dic nobis notitiam eius:
Quomodo videbitur, quomodo diligitur, quomodo invenitur?
Si in iuventute, si in senectute invenitur?

Who is God, and where is God, and whose is God, and where is His dwelling?
Does your God have sons and daughters, gold and silver?
Is He always living, is He beautiful, has His son been raised by many? Your God?
Are His daughters dear and beautiful to the people of the world? Your God?
Is He in heaven or on earth?
In the sea, in the rivers, in the mountains, in the valleys?
Tell us His nature: how is He seen, how is He loved, how is He found?
Is He found in youth, or in old age?

Pater Noster (1991)

Composer: Michael McGlynn
From the Celtic Mass
Soloists Joanna Fagan, Michael McGlynn

From Michael McGlynn’s “Celtic Mass”

Pater noster qui es in caelis sanctur nomen tuum
Ad veniat regnum tuum fiat voluntas tuSicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostram quotidianem da nobis hodie
Et dimmite nobis sicut et nos dimmitimus debitoribus nostris
Et nenos in ducat in tentationem
Sed libera nos amalo. Amen.

Our father, who is in heaven, holy is Your name
Your kingdom will come, Your will be done
On the earth as is in heaven
Give us our daily bread today
And forgive us our sins as we forgive others
And do not lead us to temptation
But free us from sin. Amen

Prophetarum Presignata (2020)

Arranged by Michael McGlynn
Percussion: Noel Eccles

Prophetarum Presignata comes from the Dublin Troper which has been a part of my life for decades. It is a 14th-century manuscript that, like a time capsule, captures the chants and liturgical practices of medieval Dublin. The hymns, sequences, and tropes are more than just religious rituals; they're a testament to the artistic spirit of that time. I feel a close connection to this intricate weave of spirituality and music, and a profound sense of the presence of the original writers of these beautiful melodies that predate our own traditional song culture today.

Prophetarum presignata virgo vaticinio
Super celos exaltata mater es a filio
O benedicta circumamicta varietate
Te veneratur quem imitatur angelis amica
Virginum pudica concio stella pudicicie beata
Virgo plena gaudio

Prophesised Virgin foretold of the prophets
Mother, you are exalted above the heavens by your Son.
O blessed one, clothed in colours,
You are venerated, by Him who the angels imitate.
Chaste assembly of virgins, blessed star of modesty
Virgin full of joy.

Igitur Servus (1999)

Arranged by Michael McGlynn

From a 14th century Irish manuscript.

Igitur servus cristi serviens
Malignorum demonum servus
Quoum multos peccatorum
A vinculis solvit.
Et angellice liberati felices consocciavit.

In the course of his service as a servant of Christ
The servants of wicked demons,
Many of whom he released from the chains of their sins,
He freed like an angel
And brought over to his side in joy.

O MAria (2006)

Composer: Michael McGlynn

“Ecce mater filius. Est consummatum”
Et sic transit gladius.
O Maria virgo pia plena dei gracia.

“Behold, Mother, [your] son. It is finished.”
And thus the sword passes.
O Mary, pious virgin, full of God’s grace.

Quem Queritis(1996)

Arranged by Michael McGlynn
From The Dublin Play
Soloist: Miriam Blennerhassett

This work comes from a medieval processional manuscript dating from the late 14th or early 15th century, associated with St. John the Evangelist Church in Dublin. This manuscript is particularly notable for containing a "Visitatio Sepulchri" play, a liturgical drama depicting the visit of the three Marys to Christ's tomb on Easter morning. The presence of this play, along with proper processions for saints such as Patrick and Columba, highlights the manuscript's significance in the study of medieval liturgical practices in Ireland.

Angel: Quem queritis ad sepulchrum, O Cristicole?
“Who are you looking for at the sepulchre, O followers of Christ?”
Marys: Ihesum Nazarenum crucifixum, O celicola.
“Jesus, the Nazerene, O you of heaven.
Angel: Surrexit, non est hic, sicut dixit.
Venite et videte locum ubi positus fuerat.
“He has arisen, and is not here, as He told you.
Come and see the place where he was laid.

Marys: Alleluia, resurrexit Dominus! Alleluia resurrexit Dominus hodie!
Resurrexit potens, fortis Cristus, filius Dei!
“Alleluia! the Lord is risen! Alleluia! the Lord is risen today! The powerful and strong Christ, son of God, has arisen!”
Angel: Et euntes dicite discipulis eius et Petro quia surrexit.
“As you leave, say to his disciples and Peter that he has risen.
Marys: Eya! pergamus propere mandatum hoc perficere.
“Eya! let us go and fulfil this command.”

Hymn to the Virgin(1999)

Composer: Michael McGlynn
Text: anon
Soloists: Joanna Fagan, Derina Johnson, Lucy Champion
Harp: Andreja Malir

This 8th Century text was written by Cú Chuimhne of Iona (d.747).

Cantemus in omni die concinnantes uarie conclamantes Deo dignum ymnum Sancte Marie.
Bis per chorum hinc et inde conlaudernus Mariam ut uox pulset omnem aurem per laudem uicariam.
Maria de tribu Iuda Summi Mater Domini oportunam dedit curam egrotanti homini. Gabriel aduexjt Verbum sinu prius Paterno quod conceptum et susceptum in utero materno.
Hec est summa hec est sancta uirgo uenerabilis que ex fide non recissit sed exstetit stabilis.
Sancte Marie meritum imploramus dignissirnum
Ut mereamur solium habitare altissimum

Let us all sing together each day, crying aloud to God, a hymn that is worthy of Saint Mary.
Twice on alternating sides, let us praise together the Virgin, so that there will be continuous sound on the ear.
Mary of the line of Judah, mother of God, gave ailing man a great cure.
Gabriel placed the Word in the mother’s womb, which came from the breast of the Father.
This is the great, the holiest worthy virgin who has held fast in faith, and not turned away.
Noble Saint Mary, we beseech you,
That we may be worthy to ascent the highest throne.