O Magnum Mysterium
Morten Lauridsen
Lauridsen wrote “O Magnum Mysterium” in 1994. The painting below was part of his musical inspiration.
Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose (1633) Francisco de Zurbarán. The objects in this work are symbolic offerings to the Virgin Mary. Her love, purity and chastity are signified by the rose and the cup of water. The lemons are an Easter fruit that, along with the oranges with blossoms, indicate renewed life. The table is a symbolic altar.