Album insights
The presented CD, a continuation of Lux aeterna (Hyperion CDA67449), the critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated first Hyperion recording of music by Morten Lauridsen, once again showcases a collaboration between Lauridsen, Stephen Layton, Polyphony, and the Britten Sinfonia. It primarily introduces Lauridsen's settings of secular texts, further exploring the American composer's profound love for poetry.
Few contemporary composers express such a deep and enduring connection to literature as Lauridsen, who has stated that "after music, my passion is poetry." By diligently studying poetry, Lauridsen continuously expands his aesthetic sensitivity and expressive range. Each musical sketch he meticulously crafts follows contemplation of a poem, showcasing Lauridsen's perfectionism and impressive technique in creating works of exquisite elegance.
Lauridsen skillfully strikes a remarkable balance between contemporary and timeless elements. His music often evokes a ghostly sensation of eternal existence, free from the constraints of transience or trends. This timeless quality partly stems from Lauridsen's ongoing exploration of Early Music, ranging from choral singing to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. His deep immersion in choral and Early Music ensures his compositions avoid mere pastiche, serving as the solid foundation for his artistic style.
In the Mid-Winter Songs (1980), Lauridsen merges literary insight with musical inspiration, delving into poems by British poet Robert Graves for this cycle. The selection process involved Lauridsen deeply immersing himself in Graves' poetry, captivated by its elegance, richness, and extraordinary beauty. The Mid-Winter Songs redefine the choral cycle with emotional depth, formal complexity, and thematic unity.
Crafting a brilliant Choral Symphony encompassing five movements, the Mid-Winter Songs display a sophisticated integration of melodic motifs, establishing formal coherence and lyrical depth throughout the composition. The cycle navigates from the poignant Lament for Pasiphaë, through reflective verses celebrating love and tranquility, to a heartfelt Intercession in Late October, resonating with profound emotional significance.
Through intensive reading of a British poet's works, Lauridsen created the Les chansons des roses (1993), inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry. Capturing the ephemeral beauty of a rose, Lauridsen masterfully embodies Rilke's passion in evocative music, culminating in a glowing choral cycle that reflects the poet's admiration for the flower's essence.
Les chansons des roses, possessing an intimate quality of introspective reflection, differs from the exuberant intensity of the Mid-Winter Songs. Lauridsen's composition eloquently transforms Rilke's verses into passionate musical expressions, intertwining themes of love and beauty with mesmerizing melodies.
The CD features three sacred choral pieces that do not form a cycle but showcase the composer's evolution and enduring affinity for Early Music. Highlighting Lauridsen's contrapuntal mastery, pieces like I will lift up mine eyes and O come, let us sing unto the Lord reveal a young composer's burgeoning talent, paving the way for Lauridsen's distinctive style. The Ave, dulcissima Maria provides a delicate yet powerful a cappella setting, contrasting with exuberant motets and underscoring the composer's versatility.
In contrast to the extroverted intensity of the Mid-Winter Songs, the Nocturnes (2005) present Lauridsen's intricate design of an integrated choral cycle, structured as a triptych that can be performed individually. With shared contrapuntal intricacies as seen in previous cycles, the Nocturnes uniquely unite verses from poets of varying nationalities, embodying themes of night, love, and nature interwoven in a harmonious tapestry.
From the sensuous devotion of Sa nuit d’été to the romantic intimacy of Pablo Neruda's Soneto de la noche and the poignant interpretation of James Agee's Sure on this shining night, the Nocturnes deliver a mesmerizing musical journey. Lauridsen's astute craftsmanship reveals how each piece, while distinct, contributes to a unified exploration of night, love, and natural reverence, culminating in a panoramic finale rich with emotional depth and resonant beauty.