May everlasting light shine upon them, O LordThe ever impressive octet, Voces8 is back with a personal favorite, “Lux Aeterna” by English, late-Romantic composer, Edward Elgar. The small chamber choir gives an reverent performance of this classical masterpiece.
Elgar was an Englishman who’s Roman Catholicism kept him away from the most prominent social circles during the very class-conscious Victorian Era. It is a testament to his genius that, even with these obstacles, many of his works have been entered into the British and international classical concert repertoire.
“Lux Aeterna” is one of the many compositions that makes up the music of a Requiem Mass, which became its own genre after centuries of every composer worth their salt providing their own take on it. This piece is a setting of the Communion verse. Musical Requiems traditionally use the Latin text of the Mass as it was celebrated before the liturgical renewal of Vatican II.
Requiem Masses are traditionally in Latin. The Latin text is perfectly suited for All Soul’s Day, when Catholics pray for the souls of the departed. It translates:
May everlasting light shine upon them, O Lord,
with your saints forever,
for you are kind.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
and may everlasting light shine upon them;
with your saints forever,
for you are merciful.
Voces8 has been working professionally for about a decade. In their tenure they have released 17 albums of assorted choral works, in which they cover Purcell, Bach, Gershwin and more. They are currently on tour in Europe and have shows booked through 2018.
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