Program Notes

Lux is comprised of two Latin texts that are very commonly set to choral music. The first, Lux aeterna, is taken from the ordinary of the mass while the second text, O nata lux, pulls imagery from the Gospel of John. I chose to combine these two texts because of the common theme of light, even though both use this light to represent a different entity. They way I related them to each other was by taking the first part of Lux aeterna, which is very much like a blessing, as a lead in for the arrival of Jesus. The text of O nata lux depicts the life of Christ. Lux aeterna returns as a response to this with Requiem aeterna asking for eternal rest, in this instance for Jesus.

 This piece relies heavily on polychords and various other cluster chords to create tension. I use them in ways that sometimes feel very consonant, while other times they are used to create dissonance. The solo line floats around the pitch of C to represent light eternal.

Text

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.

O nata lux de lumine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Dignare clemens supplicum
Laudes precesque sumere.

Qui carne quondam contegi
Dignatus es pro perditis,
Nos membra confer effici
Tui beati corporis.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
(cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem)

Rudy Giron, countertenor (10/1/2013)