
Videntes Stellam Magi
Videntes stellam magi gavisi sunt gaudio magno et intrates domum, obtulerunt Domino aurum, tus et murram. Alleluia.
For many centuries these evangelical words have been inspiring composers, artists, and poets. The image of Three Kings adoring the baby Jesus is magnificent and mysterious. Music incarnations of this image are truly countless, ranging from Ambrosian chant to nowadays. It is hard to imagine a Christmas concert program without "Videntes" by Orlando di Lasso, Giovanni da Palestrina, or Francis Poulenc.

Every composer finds his own approach to this text. My own vision of the Nativity was greatly influenced by the Italian art of presepe - traditional Christmas installations, made of stone, wood, and clay, where the Gospel characters interact with real personages, such as peasants, artisans, archers, sailors, bakers. Presepe is very close to folk art. My music is also related to the old Italian folk tradition, albeit enhanced by more advanced harmonic and polyphonic techniques.
This piece doesn't belong to the liturgical genre. It portrays a joyful crowd of common people on the square of a medieval town, dancing, singing and praising God on this festive day.