Contemporary Choral Music
Contemporary Choral Compositions
Most people that live in the modern generation view choral music as old, boring harmonies whose composers died with kings. However, choral music is not just for the elderly singing hymns apathetically in the church pews on Sunday morning. Though the perception of it remains unenthusiastic among common listeners, the life of choral music is not as dead or boring as most would assume. Choral music is made modern, enjoyable, and vibrant through the works of contemporary composers. Although it is not as recognized in modern generations, brilliant vocal compositions and composers still exist today.
Two of the most recognized composers of contemporary choral music today are Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. Often both are classified as impressionistic composers, displaying similar compositional techniques. Though there are differences found amongst the techniques of Whitacre and Lauridsen, a connection can be drawn between their composition styles. Through clever uses of harmonic and dynamic techniques, sonorities, and musical color, a connection is easily heard in both composers’ beautiful music. Each composer’s style remains present in each individual composition, such as Whitacre’s Sleep and Cloudburst and Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium and Madrigali; and though similarities are heard within the music of both composers, style representative pieces are rarely confused because both compose with their own unique elegance. Because of ingenious techniques used by both composers, a common music listener is able to appreciate their music. Brilliant composers, such as Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen, make contemporary choral music enjoyable and accessible to the modern listener.
Whitacre and Lauridsen have a common basis for their composition styles, musical impressionism. Musical impressionism focuses on musical color, fluidity, and atmosphere, tending to make more use of dissonance. Sonority is one of the most important elements
Most people that live in the modern generation view choral music as old, boring harmonies whose composers died with kings. However, choral music is not just for the elderly singing hymns apathetically in the church pews on Sunday morning. Though the perception of it remains unenthusiastic among common listeners, the life of choral music is not as dead or boring as most would assume. Choral music is made modern, enjoyable, and vibrant through the works of contemporary composers. Although it is not as recognized in modern generations, brilliant vocal compositions and composers still exist today.
Two of the most recognized composers of contemporary choral music today are Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. Often both are classified as impressionistic composers, displaying similar compositional techniques. Though there are differences found amongst the techniques of Whitacre and Lauridsen, a connection can be drawn between their composition styles. Through clever uses of harmonic and dynamic techniques, sonorities, and musical color, a connection is easily heard in both composers’ beautiful music. Each composer’s style remains present in each individual composition, such as Whitacre’s Sleep and Cloudburst and Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium and Madrigali; and though similarities are heard within the music of both composers, style representative pieces are rarely confused because both compose with their own unique elegance. Because of ingenious techniques used by both composers, a common music listener is able to appreciate their music. Brilliant composers, such as Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen, make contemporary choral music enjoyable and accessible to the modern listener.
Whitacre and Lauridsen have a common basis for their composition styles, musical impressionism. Musical impressionism focuses on musical color, fluidity, and atmosphere, tending to make more use of dissonance. Sonority is one of the most important elements
Bibliography: “mortenlauridsen.com.” Accessed November 17, 2011. Whitacre, Eric. “Eric Whitacre: Composer, Conductor, Lecturer.” Accessed November 17, 2011. Morten Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium. Hänssler Classic 98272. 2007, compact disc. Accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify. Whitacre, Eric. Cloudburst. Brigham Young University Singers. The Music of Eric Whitacre. Mark Masters 352716. 1997, compact disc. Accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify. Whitacre, Eric Decca. 2010, compact disc. Accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify. [ 2 ]. “mortenlauridsen.com”, accessed November 17, 2011. http://homepage.mac.com/kennesten/lauridsen/index2.html [ 3 ] [ 5 ]. Morten Lauridsen, Madrigali, Chamber Choir of Europe, conducted by Nicol Matt, Morten Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium, Hänssler Classic 98272. 2007, compact disc, accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify. [ 10 ]. Morten Lauridsen, O Magnum Mysterium, Chamber Choir of Europe, conducted by Nicol Matt, Morten Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium, Hänssler Classic 98272. 2007, compact disc, accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify. [ 12 ]. Eric Whitacre, “Eric Whitacre: Composer, Conductor, Lecturer,” accessed November 17, 2011. http://ericwhitacre.com/about. [ 14 ]. Eric Whitacre, Cloudburst, Brigham Young University Singers, The Music of Eric Whitacre, Mark Masters 352716. 1997, compact disc, accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify. [ 18 ]. Eric Whitacre, Whitacre: Sleep, The Virtual Choir, conducted by Eric Whitacre, Light & Gold, Decca. 2010, compact disc, accessed May 18, 2011. Spotify.