Lauridsen: O Nata Lux

Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna
Britten Sinfonia, Polyphony & Stephen Layton
copyright Hyperion Records, catalogue number 67449

Morton Lauridsen is a fine composer whose works for chorus and orchestra are among the best being composed today. Since the premiere of his now famous 'Lux aeterna', a repertoire staple with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Orchestra, this incredibly moving work has enjoyed frequent performances not only in the United States but with European ensembles as well.

This wondrous recording features Polyphony with the Britten Sinfonia under the baton of Stephen Layton. The title piece grows in stature with time and in this performance the myriad subtexts are more clearly defined. Lauridsen tends to write thick choral sounds and while these are organ-like in their beauty, Layton clarifies the more dense sections of the work and the result is illuminating. For the more massive, darker sound the Los Angeles Master Chorale under Paul Salamunovich still satisfies: it is nice to have the 'big' sound along side the 'chamber' sound.

Here is the text of O Nata Lux:

O Nata Lux de lumine, Jesu redemptor saeculi,
(O Light born of light, Jesus, Redeemer of the world)

Dignare Clemens supplicum Laudes preces que sumere.
(Mercifully deem us worthy to offer prayer and praise.)

Qui carne quondam contegi dignatus est pro perditis
(You who once deigned to become flesh for the sake of your lost ones)

Nos membra confer effici tui beati corporis.
(Grant that we become members of your holy Body.)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Choral
• Sacred
• Lauridsen
• religion
• christianity
• choir
• inspirational
• spirituality
• meditation

[uncatila]

@just1nr85e I was in CSUN Studying music and working in the summer I heard this on KUSC Well I was inspired and sent away for the CD. Later on in 1995 I attended a concert and Lauridsen was there hosting some instrumental works. I told him that his music reminded me of Durufle and that made him exceedingly happy and he said that was the best thing he could ever hope to achieve

[gombert434]

Faultless - but a tad too fast and no real rits - but how nit-pickey am I. Pure tone abounds!

[slamcrunk1]

we are singing this for my high school choir and will be be preforming it, sonneto de la Noche and midwinter song for him in boston in the spring. i really hope we don't screw it up.

[TheEnglishQuail]

There are so many great settings of this text. Lauridsen especially has a VERY distinct sound about him.

[skylerlee22]

brings back so many memories of choir during HS...love this.

[just1nr85e]

in highschool i was lucky enough to be invited to perform this piece as part of a choir conducted by Lauridsen himself. as i remember it, i thought he conducted it faster than the way it sounds here.. but i prefer this tempo more. :) great composer.

[dramaphd]

The most glorious piece of choral music ever composed -- taken at a faster tempo than I'm used to hearing/singing it, but it works beautifully.

[mllcg]

what event is this for? christmas or easter? seems the words combine to both

[MrPiano90]

Such a heavenly, and atmospheric piece. Having heard this, I'm glad I sung the "O Nata Lux" when in Austria. Thanks for posting this.