Morton Lauridsen: 6 Madrigalen

Morten Lauridsen is most noted for his vocal cycles and sacred motets, which are performed extensively throughout the world. He is Professor of Composition at the USC Thornton School of Music in the United States. The Madrigali: Six ‘Fire Songs’ on Italian Renaissance poems were premiered in Los Angeles in 1988.

Each of the six poems in the cycle contains romantic references to fire and the music is unified by manipulations of a sonority called the ‘Fire-Chord’, which opens the piece and is found extensively throughout. Whilst the pieces are contained in a cycle, each piece could be performed individually. Translations of the poems are provided.

The Choral Programme Series is now a well-esatablished programming tool for many choirs as it offers a wealth of fresh material from many eras and in many styles. Also offering great value for money as each volume in the series provides up to forty minutes of music.