I composed lux aeterna in response to my mothers final illness and. The best known section of the work is the haunting a cappella o nata lux. Lauridsen also mentions his homage to renaissance motet writer, in particular josquin desprez, in varying the texture by writing in pairs of voices. Here is a clickable table of the available midi files for this work. Drawing again on the significance of the number three in the context of these christian texts, lauridsen writes three successive ds to function as connection material. A metrical version in english is o light of light, by love inclined translated by laurence housman for the english hymnal, 1906. The third movement, o nata lux oh light born from light is the centerpiece of the work, and is a rich exploration of a capella singing in the style of renaissance polyphony, with the frequent tempo changes variously highlighting each of the voice parts. Peermusic classical satb a cappella softcover composer. Drawing inspiration from both morten lauridsen and carlo gesualdo, the work is both understated and passionately pleading.
A quiet setting of the agnus dei precedes the final lux aeterna, which reprises the opening section of the introitus and concludes with a joyful celebratory alleluia. Morten lauridsens setting of lux aeterna, a five movement, nonliturgical requiem for choir and chamber orchestraorgan is a rich and intensely moving work. The latin text translates as o light born of light, jesus, redeemer of the world, deign in mercy to accept the offering of praise and prayers. Each of the five connected movements in this choral cycle contains references to light, assembled from various sacred latin texts. His seven major vocal cyclesles chansons des roses rilke, midwinter songs graves, cuatro canciones lorca, a winter come moss, madrigali. In section by section choral score and line by line formats vocal parts. O nata lux from lux aeterna by morten lauridsen practice track for tenor 2. O nata lux the third movement, o nata lux, begins attaca and is connected to the previous movement by the low, instrumental d.
The changes in meter accommodate the natural rhythm of the chant. The choral music of morten lauridsen hal leonard online. Lauridsens o nata lux is a serene a cappella motet celebrating the redeemer, and is part of the larger lux aeterna for chorus, orchestra and organ. If you are looking for o nata lux, search results below. Celebrating the life and music of national medal of arts recipient morten lauridsen, this website provides access to his words, music, and recordings, along with the awardwinning film about his life, shining night and the companion book, morten. Sure on this shining night from nocturnes excerpt composed by morten lauridsen poem by james agee performed by the singers on midwinter songs. Morten johannes lauridsen born february 27, 1943 is an american composer. It wasnt until recently that i found a copy of the vocal score with a translation of the text. About the score this poignant setting of the classic text was written in memory of those lost on september 11, 2001. Lauridsen s o nata lux is a serene a cappella motet celebrating the redeemer, and is part of the larger lux aeterna for chorus, orchestra and organ. The text is taken from portions of the the requiem mass, te deum, o nata lux, and veni, sancte spiritus. Morten lauridsen sheet music books scores buy online.
O nata lux and veni, sancte spiritus are paired songs, the former an a cappella motet at the center of the work and the latter a spirited, jubilant canticle. Morten lauridsen s compositions are published in the united states and abroad by peermusic classical, based in new york and hamburg. Lux aeterna satb and orchestra, full score hal leonard online. A metrical version in english is o light of light, by love inclined translated by laurence housman for the english hymnal. The a cappella movement o nata lux is a pristine example of lauridsens compositional style, and the combined effect of lauridsens soaring melodies and clustered harmonic textures is truly ethereal. Since then, it has earned a place in the choral repertoire as one of the most significant musical statements of the 20th century. Peer music lux aeterna satb and orchestra, full score. Dec 26, 2018 lauridsen s setting of the o nata lux, a serene motet, is the central movement of his larger work lux aeterna, and is arranged here for unaccompanied satb o nata lux morten lauridsen by choral. O magnum mysterium is pervaded by the same tenderness and refinement found in lux aeterna. Morten lauridsens compositions are published in the united states and abroad by peermusic classical, based in new york and hamburg.
Six firesongs on renaissance italian poems, nocturnes rilke, neruda and agee and lux aeternaand his series of sacred a. O nata lux by morten lauridsen 1943 softcover sheet. These works are distributed by the hal leonard corporation. The cellos and basses supply the downbeat only to the central movement of the cycle, the a cappella motet, o nata lux o. The cellos and basses supply the downbeat only to the central movement of the cycle, the a cappella motet, o nata lux o born light, with text from a hymn for the divine office. Title o nata lux search results at stantons sheet music. Morten lauridsen o nata lux sheet music video youtube. Satb choir with chamber orchestra, or organ separate organ part necessary 27.
The a cappella movement o nata lux is a pristine example of lauridsen s compositional style, and the combined effect of lauridsen s soaring melodies and clustered harmonic textures is truly ethereal. O magnum mysterium lux aeterna madrigali les chansons des roses. Lauridsens setting of the o nata lux, a serene motet, is the central movement of his larger work lux aeterna, and is arranged here for unaccompanied satb o nata lux. Lauridsen continues to contrast musical elements, juxtaposing the a cappella chorus with the orchestra, or pairing mens voices against womens. Music by morten lauridsen occupies a permanent place in the standard vocal repertoire of the twentiethcentury. Sep 21, 2018 a sheet music video of which i couldnt find one of the choral work o nata lux from lux aeterna written by morten lauridsen. To be honest i dont know if ive ever not listened to it in its entirety. Vocal score vocal score peermusic classical this the central movement from lux aeterna is a serene a cappella motet celebrating the redeemer.
O nata lux morten lauridsen pdf free by cophothuspo issuu. The mood is one of opulence and lauridsen luxuriates in the power of the choral sound. Qui carne quondam contegi thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh dignatus es pro perditis. Varying 4part textures by using different combinations of 2 voices was a common, and very successful, technique frequently employed by josquin. A sheet music video of which i couldnt find one of the choral work o nata lux from lux aeterna written by morten lauridsen. Full text of a conductors analysis of morten lauridsens. Referring to lauridsens sacred music, the musicologist and conductor nick strimple said he was the only american composer in history who can be called a mystic, whose probing, serene work contains an elusive and indefinable ingredient which leaves the impression that all the questions have been answered retrieved from. Qui carne quondam contegi thou who in flesh didst once appear. Burnside high school senior chorale burnside high school conductor susan densem accompanist lixi zhang the big sing 2015 michael fowler centre, wellington nz 15 august 2015.