Three new albums celebrate the music of Morten Lauridsen

This Fall marks an exciting lineup of album releases and concerts celebrating the music of Morten Lauridsen (’66, MA’68, DMA’74), USC Thornton Distinguished Professor of Composition and National Medal of Arts recipient. In October, the Chamber Choir of Europe and I Virtuosi Italiani chamber orchestra will release an all-Lauridsen disc on the Deutsche Grammophon label, entitled Eternal Light, and featuring his Lux Aeterna, Nocturnes, selections from Madrigali and Les chansons des roses, Prayer, Ya eres mia, and O Magnum Mysterium. A series of concerts and workshops, featuring the ensembles with Lauridsen at the piano, will take place in Northern Germany from Sep 30th to Oct. 5th to celebrate the album’s release.

Mirror in Mirror, a disc featuring star violinist Anne Akiko Meyers in performance with the The Philharmonia Orchestra, was released in September and includes Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, arranged by the composer for violin and orchestra.

Also released in October will be a new recording by the Oregon Repertory Singers, under the baton of artistic director and Thornton alumnus Ethan Sperry (MM ’98, DMA ’00, choral music). Shadows of the Stars, to be released Oct. 19th, will include Lauridsen’s Madrigali, Ya eres mia, Sure on this shining Night, Prayer, and O Magnum Mysterium. The ensemble will present concerts celebrating the new album on Oct. 13th and 14th in Portland.