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Programme Note

from An American Requiem (2001)

First performance:
March 3 2013
New York Virtuoso Singers
Harold Rosenbaum, conductor
Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY

Text:
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine:
Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis. Amen.

[Let eternal light shine upon them, O Lord,
with Thy saints for ever, because Thou art merciful.
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord:
and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.]

Composer note:
This unaccompanied choral work has its origins in An American Requiem, a 63-minute large scale choral/orchestral work. I always felt that this interconnected a cappella choral piece in my Requiem should have an independent version. When Harold Rosenbaum asked for a short choral work a few years ago, I remembered the Lux Aeterna that existed and promptly made a self-contained movement out of what was already there. It is one of only three Fugatos I have written in 32 years of professional work, and as short on length as it may be, I have looked forward to being able to hear it apart from the hour-long Requiem as a standalone piece of music.

— Richard Danielpour