The Easter cantata, Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in the bonds of death) is one
of Bach's earliest cantatas, believed to have been written around 1707-08. Based on Martin Luther's chorale of 1524,
the work is in chorale variation form: that is, all seven movements are based on the original chorale melody, either
unaltered or modified. Even secondary themes are developed from small melodic fragments, or motives of the original
theme. Each of the seven verses of the chorale are set to a different movement with all movements ending with "Hallelujah."
The symmetry of the work is particularly significant. The forth movement, a chorus, forms the central axis. Movements
one and seven are choruses, two and six are duets, and three and five are solos.
Lux Aeterna (Light Eternal), composed in 1997, is written for chorus and chamber orchestra.
The texts of each of the five movements are drawn from sacred Latin sources, each containing references to eternal light.
The opening and closing sections of the Requiem Mass provide the texts for the first and last movements. The three central
movements are taken from the Te Deum, O Nata Lux, and Veni, Sancte Spiritus. The
work is characterized by angular melodies, rich, lush harmonies, and beautiful unresolved dissonances.
Morten Lauridsen is Chair of the Composition Department at the University of Southern California
and served as Composer in Residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1994 to 2001.
Program notes by L. Randolph Babin.
