It's really really awesome having a sister whose teacher is getting her master's at USC. Two words: Free Concerts. Yeah.
This would be the third time we've gotten to go. =]
Tonights performance of Durufle's Requiem and Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna was conducted by Paul Salamunovich who also conducted the 1997 premier of the latter piece.
Both Choral works were deeply moving (at least for me, I'm always a sucker for choral works, think Vespers by Rachmaninoff).
The awesome thing was that the composer showed up on stage and took a bow! I know it's sounds silly, but being less than five feet away from a composer of such beautiful music does something to you. =]
Here I must lament my ineloquence and merely say a few words on each piece (which by no means do them justice, in other words, go listen to them).
The Requiem is set the the standard latin text of the mass for the dead. Wonderful. There's something about the human voice that cannot be rivaled by anything else. The Dies Irae section here gave me chills. The terror of judgement day really comes across. But then again, so does the redemption and love of Christ. Some theological points that I don't agree with, but that doesn't keep me from enjoying this. =]
Lux Aeterna. I first heard this on KUSC the day I took the SAT...hmmm.... Beautiful piece. Especially in conjunction with the text. According to the composer, it is a meditation on light in all forms. Spiritual, physical, etc. I was blessed. (Note: both pieces are set to sacred texts so it was really almost like church). The conductor, orchestra, and choir recieved standing ovations. The conductor went on and off stage about 5 times. Yeah. =]
I wish I could say just how wonderful it all was but then music wouldn't be music would it?
Have a wonderful evening Ladies and Gentlemen. God Bless.
