Lux Aurumque

Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold) is a composition in a set of Eric Whitacre. He wrote the work in 2000 on a Latin poem for mixed choir a cappella. In 2005 he edited it into a composition for wind ensemble. There is also a version for men's choir. The version for mixed choir became known for his project Virtual Choir.

History and words

The composer was inspired by a short poem in the English language, " Light and Gold", by Edward Esch (* 1970), which begins with the word " Light" and the singing of angels for the newborn responds ("... angels sing softly to the new-born baby "," ... angels sing softly to the newborn baby "). Charles Anthony Silvestri wrote on Whitacre's request, a translation into Latin. The work was composed in 2000 on behalf of the Choir Master Chorale of Tampa Bay and Dr. Jo- Michael Scheibe dedicated. It was published in 2001 by Walton Music. 2005 Whitacre wrote a version for wind instruments, which was first performed at the annual conference of the Texas Music Educators Association and Gary Green is dedicated. He worked there for men's chorus.

The version for mixed choir was part of Whitacre's Virtual Choir project. The video as a compilation of recordings of 185 choristers from twelve countries ceased in 2010 in YouTube and since then clicked more than 3,000,000 times.

Music

The composition in 48 cycles in C sharp minor is overwritten " Adagio Molto Legato ". She is set for SATB, all voice types are usually divided twice, a solo soprano is required to measure 5 to 7, the soprano is divided into three parts of clock 34 to the end. Unlike other works by the composer, the piece is suitable for worship, especially at Christmas. Whitacre's music has been described as " softly spoken, deeply harmonic and tuneful, but making use of unusual rhythms and sound balancing to create highly textured music" (quiet, very harmonious and melodic, with unusual rhythms and sound combinations in fine sound tissue).