Celebrating Morten Lauridsen – The Influence of Poetry


Video #4: The Influence of Poetry

Much of the grace and vitality of composer Morten Lauridsen’s compositions stems from their lyrical beauty. In the fourth video of our series, Lauridsen reflects on his life-long love of poetry, which first emerged while a student at USC.

By reading poetry every day, Lauridsen finds inspiration for the lyrics that drive his musical works. Here, he shares a poem and explains the depth of the impact that poetry has had upon his own art.


In this revealing series, Lauridsen will discuss his student days at USC, the inspiration he draws from the quiet of his simple retreat on Washington’s Waldron Island, the influence of poetry in his music, and his relationship with USC Thornton, both as a faculty member and three-time alumnus. Lauridsen also offers an intimate glimpse into the creation of some of his most beloved pieces, including “O Magnum Mysterium” and “Sure on this Shining Night.”

To view the full archive of videos, click here.