Lux Aeterna
Lux Aeterna
SSAA choir, unaccompanied.
Awards:
Selected as a winner for the 2012 Essentially Choral Reading Session with VocalEssence and conductor Philip Brunelle.
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Duration: 5:00
Premiere: April 28, 2012. VocalEssence Ensemble Singers conducted by Philip Brunelle.
Publisher: Jake Runestad Music
About:
The Requiem Mass, or mass for the dead, is a traditional Christian service remembering and honoring those who are deceased. Throughout history, many composers have set the requiem texts to music for use in both worship and concert settings – some of the most popular being those of Mozart, Fauré, Verdi, and Duruflé. With this piece, I wanted to create my own homage to those I have lost in my life using excerpts from the traditional requiem texts. I love the idea that when one dies, his or her being and energy becomes the light that shines on us providing warmth, energy, and illumination. With Lux Aeterna, I endeavored to capture the progression from darkness to light through use of specific intervals and contrapuntal techniques. The light gradually enters and is spread across the ensemble in waves allowing each voice to share its brilliance.
Video:
St. Mary’s College Women’s Choir. Nancy Menk, conductor.
Score Preview:
Performances:
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Phillip Brunelle, conductor.
Saint Mary’s College Women’s Choir. Dr. Nancy Menk, conductor.
Text:
Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem;
dona eis requiem sempiternam.
In Paradisum (excerpts)
In paradisum deducant te Angeli.
Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat.
Aeternam habeas requiem.
Lux Aeterna
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine;
et lux perpetua luceat eis;
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Blessed Lord Jesus grant them rest;
grant them everlasting rest.
In Paradise
May angels lead you into paradise.
May a choir of angels receive you.
May you have eternal rest.
Light Eternal
May everlasting light shine upon them,
O Lord, with your saints forever,
for you are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
and may perpetual light shine upon them;
with your saints forever,
for you are merciful.