Lux Aeterna
Cantores’ programme to be performed on March 17th in Cirencester Parish Church and on March 24th in St Peter’s Church Leckhampton comprises works inspired by the idea of light as a symbol of wisdom, enlightenment or creativity.
The main work is ‘Lux Aeterna’ by the American composer Morten Lauridsen and written in 1997. The five movements contain texts from the Requiem where light is seen as the ultimate state of rest and the Latin hymns ‘O nata lux’ and ‘Veni sancte spiritus’. This music, always radiant and often ecstatic, has helped to make Lauridsen one of the most popular composers currently writing for choirs.
In stark contrast is Brahms’ large scale motet ‘Warum ist das Licht gegeben’ – ‘Why has light been given for such trouble?’. This begins with a bleak and chromatic fugue but resolves finally into the major key, ‘In peace and joy I go my way’.
The programme also includes motets by Tallis and Byrd, two settings of ‘Hail gladdening light’ by Charles Wood and Alexander Grechanninov and a major work by John Rutter, in a style far distant from his Christmas carols, ‘Hymn to the Creator of Light’.
Tickets (£15; £12 for concessions; under-16s free) are available from Andrew on 01242 573193 and online for Cirencester and Leckhampton.