A Springtime Celebration of Composer Morten Lauridsen
This Spring, on the eve of his 50th anniversary of teaching at the USC Thornton School of Music, the school is celebrating composer Morten Lauridsen, National Medal of Arts recipient and distinguished professor of composition, with a weekly video series that runs through May.
Contact: Evan Calbi at (213) 740-3229 or calbi@thornton.usc.edu; Allison Engel at (213) 740-1927 or allison.engel@usc.edu
Composer Morten Lauridsen, National Medal of Arts recipient and distinguished professor of composition at the USC Thornton School of Music, has carved out an unparalleled place in the choral repertoire of the 21st century. His beloved works have been recorded on more than 200 albums and the National Endowment for the Arts has named him an “American Choral Master.”
The Los Angeles Master Chorale, with which Lauridsen served as composer in residence from 1995 to 2001, will commemorate the 20th anniversary of his iconic work, “Lux Aeterna,” in June 2017. And on the eve of his 50th anniversary of teaching at USC Thornton, the school is celebrating the composer with a weekly series of video portraits honoring his extraordinary spirit and artistry. The series will appear on the USC Thornton website through USC’s Commencement on May 13.
In this revealing series of videos, Lauridsen reflects on his student days at USC, the inspiration he draws from the quiet of his simple retreat on Washington’s Waldron Island, the influence of poetry in his music, and his relationship with USC Thornton, both as a faculty member and three time alumnus. Lauridsen also offers an intimate glimpse into the creation of some of his most beloved pieces, including “O Magnum Mysterium” and “Sure on this Shining Night.”
Visit the USC Thornton website for a new video each Wednesday this semester, as National Medal of Arts recipient and distinguished professor of composition, Morten Lauridsen, reflects on his extraordinary life and career.
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About the USC Thornton School of Music:
For more than 125 years, the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music has prepared students to excel as performers, composers, industry leaders and educators on stages and in studios around the world. Founded in 1884 and today the oldest continually operating cultural institution in Los Angeles, USC Thornton is internationally recognized as one of the finest conservatories and music schools in the U.S. By blending the rigors of a traditional conservatory-style education with the benefits of a leading research university, USC Thornton offers a curriculum designed to prepare students for successful careers in the 21st century. For more information, go to music.usc.edu.
