Composer

:

Morten Lauridsen

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2005

First Performance

:

Feb 2005

Average_duration

:

14:53

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Nocturnes is a choral composition by Morten Lauridsen, an American composer and professor of composition at the University of Southern California. The piece was composed in 2005 and premiered on November 4, 2005, by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Grant Gershon. Nocturnes is a three-movement work that sets poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke, Pablo Neruda, and James Agee. The first movement, "Sa Nuit d'été," is a setting of Rilke's poem "Sommerabend," which describes a summer evening and the beauty of nature. The music is lush and atmospheric, with rich harmonies and soaring melodies that evoke the tranquility of the natural world. The second movement, "Soneto de la Noche," sets a poem by Neruda that celebrates the night and its mysteries. The music is more rhythmic and energetic than the first movement, with driving rhythms and syncopated accents that create a sense of urgency and excitement. The final movement, "Sure on this Shining Night," sets a poem by Agee that celebrates the beauty of the night and the power of love. The music is tender and lyrical, with soaring melodies and lush harmonies that express the joy and wonder of being alive. Overall, Nocturnes is characterized by its lush harmonies, soaring melodies, and evocative poetry. The music is deeply expressive and emotional, with a sense of wonder and awe that reflects the beauty of the natural world and the mysteries of the night. The piece has become a beloved work in the choral repertoire, and is frequently performed by choirs around the world.

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