Morten Lauridsen


Morten Lauridsen
Nationality: American
Born: b. 1943
Education/Training:
Whitman College, Washington; DMA from University of Southern California

Best Known For: choral composition, especially O Magnum Mysterium, commissioned in 1994 by Marshall Rutter as a Christmas present to his wife, Terry Knowles, now enjoys widespread popularity and is one of the most cherished additions to the standard choral repertoire
Notable Compositions: eight vocal cycles, including the Mid-Winter Songs, Les Chansons des Roses, Madrigali, Nocturnes and Lux Aeterna for chorus and a series of a cappella motets, including O Magnum Mysterium
Assignments:
in 1985 began with LAMC when Roger Wagner conducted his Mid-Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; was LAMC Composer in Residence from 1995-2001, LAMC premiered his O Magnum Mysterium, Lux Aeterna, Ave Maria and Voici le soir; is Distinguished Professor of Composition at USC's Thornton School of Music, where he has taught for more than forty years
Curious Facts:
life as a composer has been documented in Michael Stillwater's award-winning film, Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen
Notable Recordings:
works have been featured on over 200 CDs, 5 of which have received a Grammy nomination,  including O Magnum Mysterium by the Tiffany Consort, A Company of Voices by Conspirare, Sound The Bells by The Bay Brass and two all-Lauridsen discs entitled Lux Aeterna by the Los Angeles Master Chorale  and Polyphony with the Britten Sinfonia
Press:
"...the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic [whose] probing, serene work contains an elusive and indefinable ingredient which leaves the impression that all the questions have been answered.." -Nick Strimple, Choral Music of the Twentieth Century

Bio:
The music of Morten Lauridsen, Composer-in-Residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1995-2001 and Distinguished Professor of Composition at the USC Thornton School of Music, occupies a permanent place in the standard vocal repertoire of the Twentieth Century.  His seven vocal cycles  (Lux Aeterna, Les Chansons des Roses, Mid-Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves, Madrigali: Six "Fire Songs" on Italian Renaissance Poems, Nocturnes and A Winter Come) and his series of a cappella sacred motets (including O Magnum Mysterium) are performed throughout the world and have been recorded on over 100 CDs, three of which have received Grammy nominations, including LAMC's.

Mr. Lauridsen chaired the Composition Department at the USC Thornton School of Music from 1990-2002 and founded the School's Advanced Studies Program in Film Scoring. He has held residencies as guest composer/lecturer at over four dozen universities.  
 
In speaking of Lauridsen's sacred works in his book, Choral Music in the Twentieth Century, Nick Strimple describes him as "the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic, (whose) probing, serene work contains an elusive and indefinable ingredient which leaves the impression that all the questions have been answered...  From 1993 Lauridsen's music rapidly increased in international popularity, and by century's end he had eclipsed Randall Thompson as the most frequently performed American choral composer."
 
In 2006, Morten Lauridsen was named an "American Choral Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts, and in 2007 he was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest artistic award in the United States, by the President in a White House ceremony "for his composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power, and spiritual depth." In 2013 he was named Honorary Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR and the World Choir Games.  More information on Mr. Lauridsen is at mortenlauridsen.com.

REPERTOIRE: O` v` e lass', il bel viso?

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Made in LA Apr 14, 2000

REPERTOIRE: Mid-Winter Songs (orchestral)

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Treasures of the Masters Feb 9, 1980

REPERTOIRE: Lament for Pasiphaë

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HSCF: Chamber Singers May 2, 2014

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: Dirait-on

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: Dirait-on

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: Dirait-on

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Big Sing California Jul 21, 2018
Big Sing California Jul 21, 2018

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: I. Introitus

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: II. In Te, Domine, Speravi

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: III. O Nata Lux

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: V. Agnus Dei -- Lux Aeterna

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017
Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017

REPERTOIRE: I. Introitus

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Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017
Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017

REPERTOIRE: II. In Te, Domine, Speravi

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Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017
Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017

REPERTOIRE: III. O Nata Lux

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Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017
Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017

REPERTOIRE: IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017
Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017

REPERTOIRE: V. Agnus Dei -- Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017
Lux Aeterna (Choir Night) Jun 22, 2017

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: I. Introitus

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: II. In Te, Domine, Speravi

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: III. O Nata Lux

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: V. Agnus Dei -- Lux Aeterna

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna (Gala) Jun 18, 2017

REPERTOIRE: I. Introitus

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Lux Aeterna (Gala) Jun 18, 2017

REPERTOIRE: II. In Te, Domine, Speravi

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Lux Aeterna (Gala) Jun 18, 2017

REPERTOIRE: III. O Nata Lux

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Lux Aeterna (Gala) Jun 18, 2017

REPERTOIRE: IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Lux Aeterna (Gala) Jun 18, 2017

REPERTOIRE: V. Agnus Dei -- Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna (Gala) Jun 18, 2017

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: I. Introitus

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: II. In Te, Domine, Speravi

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: III. O Nata Lux

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: V. Agnus Dei -- Lux Aeterna

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Apr 4, 2025

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017
Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017

REPERTOIRE: I. Introitus

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Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017
Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017

REPERTOIRE: II. In Te, Domine, Speravi

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Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017
Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017

REPERTOIRE: III. O Nata Lux

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Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017
Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017

REPERTOIRE: IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017
Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017

REPERTOIRE: V. Agnus Dei -- Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017
Lux Aeterna Jun 17, 2017

REPERTOIRE: Ave Maria

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Made in L.A. Nov 15, 2015

REPERTOIRE: O nata lux

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Rejoice! A Cappella Christmas Dec 14, 2014

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Rejoice! A Cappella Christmas Dec 14, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Dirait-on

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25th Annual High School Choir Festival May 2, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Mid-Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 1. Lament for Pasiphaë

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 2. Like Snow

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 3. She Tells Her Love While Half Asleep

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 4. Mid-Winter Waking

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 5. Intercession in Late October

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Ave Dulcissima Maria

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Canticle/O Vos Omnes

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Nocturnes

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 1. Sa Nuit d'Été (Rainer Maria Rilke)

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 3. Sure on This Shining Night (James Agee)

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 4. Voici le soir (Rilke)

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Madrigali: Six "Fire Songs" on Italian Renaissance Poems

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 1. Ov'è, Lass', Il Bel Viso?

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 2. Quando Son Più Lontan

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 3. Amor, lo Sento L'alma

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 4. lo Piango

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 5. Luci Serene E Chiare

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 6. Se Per Havervi, Oime

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Les Chansons des Roses (Rilke)

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 1. En Une Seule Fleur

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 2. Contre Qui, Rose

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 3. De Ton Rêve Trop Plein

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 4. La Rose Complète

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: 5. Dirait-on

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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50th Season Celebration Sep 22, 2013

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Rejoice! A Classical Christmas Dec 11, 2011

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna Oct 16, 2011

REPERTOIRE: 1. Introitus

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Lux Aeterna Oct 16, 2011

REPERTOIRE: 2. In Te, Domine Speravi

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Lux Aeterna Oct 16, 2011

REPERTOIRE: 3. O Nata Lux

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Lux Aeterna Oct 16, 2011

REPERTOIRE: 4. Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Lux Aeterna Oct 16, 2011

REPERTOIRE: 5. Agnus Dei - Lux Aeterna

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Lux Aeterna Oct 16, 2011

REPERTOIRE: Dirait-on

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21st Annual High School Choir Festival Apr 16, 2010

REPERTOIRE: Mid Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves

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LAMC Chamber Singers Apr 16, 2010

REPERTOIRE: Lament

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LAMC Chamber Singers Apr 16, 2010

REPERTOIRE: Like Snow

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LAMC Chamber Singers Apr 16, 2010

REPERTOIRE: Mid-Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves

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Composers from the Left Coast Nov 22, 2009

REPERTOIRE: Lament for Pasiphaë

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Composers from the Left Coast Nov 22, 2009

REPERTOIRE: Like Snow

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Composers from the Left Coast Nov 22, 2009

REPERTOIRE: She Tells Here Love While Half Asleep

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Composers from the Left Coast Nov 22, 2009

REPERTOIRE: Intercession in Late October

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Composers from the Left Coast Nov 22, 2009

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium (O wondrous mystery)

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Rejoice: Respighi + Rutter Dec 14, 2008

REPERTOIRE: Nocturnes

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Almost A Cappella May 4, 2008

REPERTOIRE: Sa Nuit d'Été (Its Summer Night - Rainer Maria Rilke)

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Almost A Cappella May 4, 2008

REPERTOIRE: Soneto de la Noche (Sonnet of the Night - Pablo Neruda)

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Almost A Cappella May 4, 2008

REPERTOIRE: Surer on this Shining Night (James Agee)

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Almost A Cappella May 4, 2008

REPERTOIRE: Epilogue - Voici le soir (Night Has Come - Rilke)

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Almost A Cappella May 4, 2008

REPERTOIRE: Sure on This Shining Night

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Share May 21, 2006

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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Illumine Oct 3, 2004

REPERTOIRE: Introitus

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Illumine Oct 3, 2004

REPERTOIRE: In te, Domine, speravi

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Illumine Oct 3, 2004

REPERTOIRE: O nata lux

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Illumine Oct 3, 2004

REPERTOIRE: Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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Illumine Oct 3, 2004

REPERTOIRE: Agnus Dei - Lux Aeterna

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Illumine Oct 3, 2004

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Sounds of the Season Dec 15, 2002

REPERTOIRE: Lux Aeterna

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The Maestro's Favorites Apr 20, 2001

REPERTOIRE: Introitus

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The Maestro's Favorites Apr 20, 2001

REPERTOIRE: In te, Domine, speravi

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The Maestro's Favorites Apr 20, 2001

REPERTOIRE: O nata lux

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The Maestro's Favorites Apr 20, 2001

REPERTOIRE: Veni, Sancte Spiritus

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The Maestro's Favorites Apr 20, 2001

REPERTOIRE: Agnus Dei - Lux Aeterna

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The Maestro's Favorites Apr 20, 2001

REPERTOIRE: Lux Æterna

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Contemporary Classics Oct 24, 1999

REPERTOIRE: Les Chansons des Roses

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Mystic Chant Apr 28, 1996

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Home for the Holidays Dec 17, 1995

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium (World Premiere)

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Home for the Holidays Dec 18, 1994

REPERTOIRE: Mid-Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves

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Music for Midwinter Jan 28, 1990

REPERTOIRE: Mid-Winter Songs

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St. Mark's to Mozart Nov 9, 1985

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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O Magnum Mysterium Dec 15, 2019
O Magnum Mysterium Dec 15, 2019

REPERTOIRE: Mid-Winter Songs on Poems by Robert Graves

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Brahms and Lauridsen Apr 25, 1999

REPERTOIRE: Les Chansons des Roses

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Chansons and Carmina May 30, 1998

REPERTOIRE: Ave Maria

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Home for the Holidays Dec 14, 1997

REPERTOIRE: Lux AEterna

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Classics New and Old Apr 13, 1997

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Christmas with the Master Chorale Dec 17, 2000

REPERTOIRE: Les Chansons des Roses

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Songs of Love Feb 13, 2000

REPERTOIRE: Madrigali - Six "Fire Songs" on Italian Renaissance Poems

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Madrigal Magic Mar 11, 2000

REPERTOIRE: O Magnum Mysterium

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Embrace Jan 23, 2005

REPERTOIRE: 2. Soneto de la Noche (Pablo Neruda)

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Tribute to Lauridsen Mar 16, 2014

REPERTOIRE: Soneto de la Noche

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29th Annual High School Choir Festival May 18, 2018

REPERTOIRE: Sure on this Shining Night

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17th Annual High School Choir Festival Mar 20, 2006

REPERTOIRE: Sure on this Shining Night

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16th Annual High School Choir Festival May 3, 2005

REPERTOIRE: Ov'è, Lass', Il Bel Viso?

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16th Annual High School Choir Festival May 3, 2005