Composer

:

Nadia Boulanger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1918

Average_duration

:

2:06

Lux aeterna is a choral work composed by Nadia Boulanger in 1919. The piece was premiered on May 25, 1919, at the Église de la Sainte-Trinité in Paris, France. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "Introitus," begins with a solemn and mysterious introduction by the choir. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir singing in unison before breaking into a polyphonic texture. The movement is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and shifting tonal centers, creating a sense of tension and unease. The second movement, titled "In Paradisum," is a serene and peaceful meditation on the afterlife. The choir sings in a gentle, flowing melody, accompanied by a simple organ accompaniment. The movement is characterized by its use of modal harmonies and a sense of timelessness, evoking the eternal nature of paradise. The final movement, titled "Resurgam," is a triumphant declaration of faith in the resurrection. The choir sings in a powerful, declamatory style, accompanied by a full organ and brass ensemble. The movement is characterized by its use of bold, triumphant harmonies and a sense of joy and celebration. Overall, Lux aeterna is a powerful and deeply spiritual work that showcases Boulanger's mastery of choral composition. The piece is notable for its use of complex harmonies and shifting tonal centers, as well as its evocative use of text painting to convey the spiritual themes of the work.

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