Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna / Polyphony, Layton

Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia, Stephen Layton - Conductor

Lux aeterna (1997); Madrigali, Six 'Fire Songs' on Italian Renaissance Poems (1987); Ave Maria (1997); Ubi caritas et amor (1999); O magnum mysterium (1994)

The name Morten Lauridsen may not ring in the same as Mozart, Tallis, Bach and other great choral composers, but someday, it will. Lauridsen has acheived a level of cult hero amongst American choirs (his 'O Magnum Mysterium' being one of the highest selling choral pieces in the country) and it is time that the rest of the world took note of his works. The best way to describe Lauridsen's composition style is a sort of 'Neo-Renaissance' in the same vein as Arvo Part, but it is in this type of choral writing that Lauridsen surpasses Part. This 2003 recording on the Hyperion Label features the Polyphony choir, the Britten Sinfonia, and Conductor Stephen Layton. The disc opens with 'Lux Aeterna', a five movement work that features the choir and instruments. The work as a whole is a thowback in style to the late Renaissance/early Baroque forms of liturgical choral music. This polyphonic style that Lauridsen uses works well with the contemporary harmonies that he employs. Also on the disc are some Madrigal settings and a beautiful setting of 'Ubi Caritas' which intermixes the plainsong chant with thick chordal harmonies. The evidence of Lauridsen's talent is in the final tracks of the disc; a setting of 'Ave Maria', and 'O Magnum Mysterium'. These two pieces represent exactly what Lauridsen is about, and are two of the most beautiful choral works I have ever encountered. The interplay with the voices, weaving of the polyphonic phrases, and the thick rich chords, make these works instant masterpieces in the choral repertoire. Often overlooked because of the 'stigma' of being contemporary choral works, they prove Lauridsen has the perfect mix of the old and the new. This recording is among the real gems in my collection, and it is time to make it one of yours. A must have!

Price: $23.98