Light for a Weary World — April 17, 2020

Derived from a range of outstanding choral music, my themed Playlists are designed to be like concerts, of about an hour in length. The music of this second Playlist in my series describes the power of light to break the darkness in our world and in our lives. If music be the food of love, play on.

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PROGRAM

From Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

 The Creation

The Representation of Chaos (WARNING: This movement starts with a bang!)

In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth; and the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters; and God said: Let there be Light, and there was Light.
And God saw the Light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

Performed by Gabrieli, conducted by Paul McCreesh

 

Hymn to the Creator of Light

John Rutter (b. 1945)

 

Performed by Cambridge Singers, conducted by John Rutter

Text

 

Lux Aurumque

Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)

 

Performed by Eric Whitacre Singers, conducted by Eric Whitacre

Translation

 

Stars  (for choir and water-tuned glasses)Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977)

 

Performed by Voces8

Text

 

Dolly Parton (b. 1946), Arr. Craig Hella Johnson (b. 1962)

Light of a Clear Blue Morning

 

It’s been a long dark night, and I’ve been waiting for the morning.
It’s been a long hard fight, but I see a brand new day a dawning.
I’ve been looking for the sunshine, ’cause I ain’t seen it in so long.
Everything’s gonna work out fine.
Everything’s gonna be alright.
It’s gonna be okay.
I can see the light of a clear blue morning.
I can see the light of a brand new day.

Performed in Live Concert by Conspirare, conducted by Craig Hella Johnson

 

Lux Aeterna Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)

Introitus
In Te, Domine, Speravi
O Nata Lux
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Agnus Dei – Lux Aeterna

Performed by Chamber Choir of Europe and I Virtuosi Italiani, conducted by Nicol Matt

Text