MORTEN LAURIDSEN - How He Wrote "Dirait-on"

Go to www.classicalch... to view the full video and a transcript.
Classical Chops interviews Morten Lauridsen who describes his process on writing his popular choral song "Dirait-On".

[@GeneWillacker]

Some negative reviewers seemed to have missed this: "It was designed as a piece that had never been composed, had always been there." He wasn't claiming to be creating high art, but crafting a simple folk song that was from another time, yet timeless at the same time. The remarks about fraud are nothing but ridiculous trolling. Dirait-on is a gift of rare beauty.

[@jonspengler5891]

These are the same people who think Rap is a valid form of music

[@anneschwecherl2001]

Thank you, Mr. Lauridsen, for one of the most beautiful, hopeful, and comforting pieces I’ve ever heard. I’ve loved it since my daughter sang it in tour choir. Its simplicity is what makes it so precious. Whenever I hear or play it on the piano, I feel so close to the Lord. For me it’s like hearing a choir of angels 🙏🏻❤️🙌🏼

[@gky7170]

Lauridsen is right up there with the great American melodists, Barber, Bernstein, et al, .... thank you!

[@leahp2367]

Dr. Morten Lauridsen is the best American composer of all time and a great friend to share music and memories with. Thank you for creating beautiful music.

[@albertinacamus]

Such a generous composer Morten Lauridsen. Thank Classical Chops so much for sharing this valuable vídeo

[@madokag]

This is so fascinating. By the way, am I the only one who thinks Morten Lauridsen has beautiful soothing voice? I'd love to hear him singing.

[@grahamnoble4887]

He sings a bit here and again in the film about O Magnum. Sounds like my grannie after a couple of sherries.

[@LaurenMcLaren]

This reminds me of my freshman year theory class at USC. This video completely shows how Dr. Lauridsen just *feels* everything so intensely. One time he asked me to name a key, any key, and I said "C sharp minor." He got this expression on his face exactly like the one at 2:49 and just paused for what felt like an entire minute. Then he said "Wonderful key. C sharp minor." Then went on with the lecture. Always one of my favorite composers.

[@jaycegreen3984]

I love that so much.

[@brunodelconte]

What a privilege to be able to study under the maestro !

[@julianadamico4702]

He doesn't know what c sharp minor is ......there is no key signature such as C sharp minor

[@brianmatthews1736]

@@julianadamico4702 You have no idea what YOU are talking about...go take music lessons, and music theory for about 10 years...

[@nathanpayant2350]

@@julianadamico4702 🤔 ?? What?

[@31xrg]

A remarkable video showing how the composer crafted a beautiful song.

[@thenamesbonar]

In response to a lot of complaints that Lauridsen is not original, I would like to point out that very little art music has ever been truly original. We work within structures in music. Plainchants worked within the structures of the time. On the whole, parallel fifths and octaves were not used, for example. Later in history, Mozart and Haydn followed the harmonic structures put in place by composers of Bach's day. Yes, composers change things, but if you look at music throughout history, even fabulous and genius pieces will have many elements which are not original. The originality and genius in music is the manipulation of rules which have been set in place, and through the occasional innovation. To suggest that no 'great' composer would look to old music for inspiration or a basis around which to work is ludicrous. Two examples to support this, are two of the greatest pieces ever written in my humble opinion - Rachmaninov's 'Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini' and Vaughan Williams' 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis'. Using old material does not diminish one's ability to write beautiful and stirring music. At the end of the day, there only twelve notes (excluding microtones), so if you are being petty you might suggest that anyone using c major is copying, or using a perfect cadence is not original. I understand why people condemn anything which they deem not to be new, or exciting, but to suggest that there is no great contemporary music, and that everyone is just copying the greats, is fundamentally misunderstanding both current composers and the greats.

[@cateclism316]

One of my comp professors at the University of Kansas wrote that we as composers cannot will ourselves to be more original. As an aspiring composer at 19, that comment took a bit of wind out of my sails, but, I have nevertheless found it to be true. Even the greatest composers borrowed from others. It is what they were able to fashion out of that made them unique.

[@gretchenbruner5571]

Morten Lauridsen is absolutely sublime. He brings joy to countless people all over the world and he has a sweet humility about him that is beautiful, as well. I wonder how many friends Organboy touches in a way that changes their heart forever? I feel sorry for the poor students who had to suffer through their experiences with Organboy while his disdain for them oozed out of every pore and I quote him... "I taught at a conservatory for 30 years where 'composition' students revealed their COMPLETE INEPTITUDE." Students! Written off and discouraged one after the other for three decades! I feel sad to think of it. Well, I know what to do. I am going to go and lift my heart so that I can feel joy again. I am going to go and listen to O Magnum Mysterium and feel closer to God. Thank you,thank you Dr. Lauridsen. You have embodied the Holy Spirit in your music. That is why it is so beautiful. And your kindness.

[@anneschwecherl2001]

I love your comment so much! Yes, Dr. Lauridsen embodies the Holy Spirit in this gorgeous song. You feel His stirring while listening. Thank you 😀

[@suppohkram]

The way he talks about his music is so adorable. Pure enthusiasm for elegant simplicity

[@FictionWriter95]

He seems like a fascinatingly wise and gentle grandfather

[@julianadamico4702]

He' s just a baby boomer..

[@FictionWriter95]

@@julianadamico4702 and that is relevant... how?

[@julianadamico4702]

@@FictionWriter95 it's too bad you don't know what baby boomers are known for. and what their characteristics are--- I'm not going to start a baby boomers 101 class ..you would get a D in it

[@FictionWriter95]

@@julianadamico4702 so because I asked for more context, I'm an idiot? And for the record, both of my parents are baby boomers (1952 and 1959), so I'm inclined to take exception to your implications.

[@ABCDuwachui]

@@julianadamico4702 crude

[@DemonicMuffinzz]

Lauridsen, you are a musical genius! You take the definition of beauty and bring notes life! In my current two years in high school choir, I've learned and performed "O Magnum Mysterium," "Sure On This Shining Night," and "Dirait-on" all of which brought tears to my eyes. Especially performing this in Eric Whitacre's Spring concert in Carnegie Hall back in 2012 when you were our accompanist for "Sure On This Shining Night." Even as a sophomore in high school, you've changed my life. Merci!

[@evankatsefes4416]

You are a genius!!!!!!!!!! O MANGUM MYSTERIUM IS A MAGICAL PIECE!!!!!!!

[@DanielWhite]

It's refreshing to see other people who think about and appreciate music in the same way I do.

[@jemersondominguez2102]

A song/music composed with PERFECTION and GENTLENESS. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and brilliance to the world via your MUSIC. Dirait-on really served its purpose to calm and give face to peace and love. God bless!!!

[@gerardquinn4513]

What a beautiful voice and perfect intonation Mr Lauridsen has. This is beauty at its best. What a lovely man. It's a great mystery how all music works.

[@jamesbarclay7361]

WOW! What a master class on his style. I'm glad he invoked Debussy who, by my ken, was at least a century ahead of his time. Lauridsen has birthed his own magnificent genre for our New Age.

[@HickoryDickory86]

I wish I had the blessing of studying music under this man. I could listen to him all day long. I just love his passion and intensity, and his music.

[@Nantte]

Music has always been the same. The hard thing is to make it current for the nowdays. Lauridsen is a genius because of his simplicity and beautiful use of melodic sounds. It's hard to make a good composition using the good old bases and being succesful at it, by making it simple. This man is filled with sensitivity and great taste for the beautiful. Thankyou Mr. Lauridsen for giving us some of the most beautiful music ever written for human voices. It's always an extrordinary experience to sing your music! :) greetings from a Colombian choir geek

[@peterlaw201250]

Its great to hear you sing and what a hearty laugh.Because of those four notes(I'm not a arranger ,etc) I wrote a short song "I Love You"thank you for the inspiration.It maybe 12 yrs ago when I got into my car ,turned "Classic FM"only to hear a piece that was halfway through,I turned the engine off and I thought"this is a Godly song.It was Magnum Mysterium,which introduced me to who you are.I have listened to more choral music because of it.Thank you. Pete Law x Royal Marines Band

[@AndyBun]

I love the way the melodies wrap around each other like the petals of a rose

[@musicaconencanto9119]

Beautiful to share with us your creative process, dear Morten. So grateful

[@jonathonedwardmiller]

As a tenor learning to transition to baritone, I sang this piece at UIL, one of my favorite pieces we did all that year!

[@julianadamico4702]

Jonathan Miller----- your voice must have dropped, due to smoking

[@jmusicman7795]

What a shame when fellow musicians cannot simply appreciate the lives and music of others. What I see in the comments are folks who have let their human nature get in the way of God's wonderful gift of music. Each of us has a measure of fraud, bitterness, and the like in us - but we have the choice to feed it or let it starve. How about if you just express music in your way, let others express it in theirs and appreciate the work of your fellow musicians regardless of your OPINION of its merits. Why must we allow jealousy and our own ego inhibit the music of ourselves and others? Before you comment on the splinter in his eye, maybe take the telephone pole out of yours...

[@davidwbranham]

We now need a 'How to write a song' about O Magnum Mysterium...

[@karenbryan132]

Well sir, you had me the first time I heard this. That was quite a few years ago. Haven't got rid of it yet--never will.

[@margaretkoev9760]

Has been my favourite for years! I absolutely love this composer and the beauty he gives to the world.

[@johndoe8114]

I remember singing this in high school choir, such a special moment

[@davidholmes4635]

Thanks to Mr Lauridsen and all the singers. WHAT AN EXQUISITE PIECE! He makes it all look simple, but it isn't.

[@brunodelconte]

Thank you for posting this. This is one of those gems that make the world a better place. Imagine a world without such composers and the musicians to perform them. I can't.

[@anthonyramirez7272]

You know, this is how he composes HIS music. So, no. He's not a fraud. He's written amazingly beautiful music like "Sure On This Shining Night". Y'all need to stop with the shit talk. He's a great composer and you'd know that if you didn't spend so much time saying stupid things about how he's fake. Like you could write a song and have a ton of people love it. Not like it. Love it. So stop and go bother someone else or just be quiet. No cares about your comments, so stop.

[@thomasromano9321]

Well spoken, Ramirez. Agree. One commentator, who incidentally is a conservatory trained musician said that Lauridsen was not a composer. His idea of great composers are 19th century. Well, I think they're great composers too but his thoughts on Lauridsen: He's entitled to his opinion.

[@julianadamico4702]

@@thomasromano9321 ------ that's why I said he's not up there with the caliper of Andrew Lloyd Webber or even Elton John and his composing partner

[@helenng238]

It's such a beautiful song. It makes me cry every time when I hear it. I am in love with this song. I am lucky because I am learning this song by the choir.

[@mjvonkerczek6212]

Thanks for this video and to Mr. Lauridsen for sharing his gift so humbly. What an inspiration.

[@frankshifreen]

What A GREAT GREAT PIECE

[@Currabell]

A beautiful modesty. Effortlessly brilliant. A joy to listen to.

[@cazino4]

Fascinating insight into how musical works of this nature are composed.

[@anner9438]

That song is SO beautiful ❤ It never leaves the mind indeed 😅 but that's a good thing 🥰

[@classicalchops]

Morten Lauridsen is one of our Favorite Composers! He's our Spotlight of the week for #31daysofClassical See more here tiny.cc/9dn5nx and join us on Instagram @ClassicalChops

[@skidvicious003]

Also, this is one of my favorite and most inspiring videos on KZbin. I love his passion!

[@eabelardo1]

Por el hecho de no manejar el idioma inglés, me he servido de los traductores en línea para leer los comentarios. Lamento no coincidir con muchos de ellos, ya que la música del Sr Morten Lauridsen, me llena el espíritu como pocos músicos me han llegado, sobre todo en sus arreglos corales. Por esa razón les sugiero a quienes critican tanto sus obras, es muy simple, cambian el link y solucionan su problema. Al sr Morten, le digo,(si este comentario le llega), que tiene en mí a un gran admirador suyo y me produce mucha paz el poder tener a mi alcance estas hermosas grabaciones de sus obras en todo el mundo. Gracias!!!!!

[@larryurbon9550]

This song is spectacular!

[@OutOfWards]

He's a genius. This as well as all the pieces he has composed are amazing. My favorite is his "Lux Aeterna" collection.

[@andrijaandelic6969]

And simply out of this one chord came this one song. And then every other piece that he wrote? Added second forever.

[@sgabriel]

+Andrija Andelic An excellent observation.

[@NRM888]

I don't understand French but whenever I hear this, tears would roll down my cheeks... I don't know why... It's like I'm. In the company of angels, and they're singing this to God Almighty Himself... Beautiful...

[@mariedesbrumes]

It's written in French indeed, but as a French person, I feel like it sounds artificial, not natural at all, like it was translated from a foreign language. No one says "dirait-on" in French.

[@6januari1962]

Fryday 20 june 2014 you can listen to this song accompangied by guitar. Where? In the Waalse Kerk, place: Haarlem (the Netherlands) time: 20.30. performed by the vocal group Kwarts.

[@56wnrs]

It sounds as an angelic song for me! Namastê

[@gusefulbeauty]

Thank you for sharing this amazing story!

[@charlesdavis5802]

We have been visited by angles and were unaware.,, until the silence came. Sent with love. CVD

[@saetmusic]

BTW, I had Morten Lauridsen for Freshman Theory 101 in 1969I think it was his first semester as a Graduate TA. If I had known whar a great composer he was going to be, I would have paid more attention!

[@rahimb9383]

I cried from joy after hearing this beautiful composition.Magnificent ..

[@writereducator]

A year ago I wrote about this piece: "Perfect beauty." Today, as I analyzed it harmonically, I discovered it was simply I, IV, and V.

[@messrtwinky]

One last comment -- Mr. Uploader, as a former horn player, I love your moniker! You will, today, have one new subscriber.

[@CollagekorenSe]

5:09 - He nailed it there!

[@Hollasino]

He is such an amazing musical genius

[@myanrueller91]

Music has reached the point in its history where we are now at a pendulum swing, we are looking for less minimalism and serialism, but want to maintain some dissonance, and Lauridsen does this better than any other composer out there right now, is he going to be as influential as Bach or Wager or Beethoven? No. But he is certainly among the best in this contemporary era that we have

[@desteddyeggroll]

I wish I could write a song like that!!!!!!!

[@HenryMollicone]

A beautiful piece, and a good explanation of his process by Mr. Lauridsen. I was, however, disappointed that the name of choir and conductor were not mentioned.

[@jademoreno7838]

Thank you.

[@raffaelevolpe1981]

Vorrei che si cantasse il giorno del mio funerale, così che tutti potessero ascoltarla....

[@ShrewdBear]

Bob Ross of music

[@billguill1859]

Beautiful song!!!

[@domingoabrego3350]

Gracias por la explicación de su técnica. Me gusto mucho.

[@NuggetEternal]

Some of these people below me are just being way way overcritical. It's funny because people criticise the likes of Whitacre for using Lauridsen's stuff when Lauridsen uses other people's stuff too. lol. I don't think that's a bad thing. While these composers may not be original, they bring something to the table. And good things at that. I'd rather have more stuff like this than more modern pop talentless mix garbage to be totally honest.

[@NMC21887]

I'm getting Bob Ross vibes from him.

[@lorecabey5864]

quisiera la traducción de este vídeo con subtitulo en español por favor.... lo amo a este creador de maravillas sonoras!!

[@huggylove1]

What a hero

[@danielecougourdan6113]

Sublime !!!!

[@christophabel2332]

music is the language of the world !!! thank you very much for your message !!! cis dis f gis="heart touch accord"

[@TheJeweledBird]

Mr. Lauridsen makes it seem so easy. . .

[@mimisetonmusic1151]

Lovely. Love Monsieur Laurisden's work. This chanson is simple ~ but effective. Undoubtedly why everyone loves it! Would have loved to see what those 4 chords are upon which Maestro based this song, too...I hear the first ~ tonic, major 2, major 3, 5...what are the other three, anyone?

[@messrtwinky]

P.S. He did appreciate my aural/oral report on Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra"!! :-) In retrospect, he did not flunk me but was gracious enough to grant me an "incomplete". He worked hard for his "success" and is a legitimate composer/artist. His compositions are not a passing fad.

[@graysongoga3325]

I agree, Leah :)

[@julianadamico4702]

He looks like Ed...... the only man who ever touched my soul .... and he has the same tastes as Ed , who introduced me to classical music.but sadly Ed died back in 2018 😔

[@organman52]

Stravinsky, along with Messiaen, Bartok, Prokofiev, Durufle, Dupre, Langlais and a handful of others are the last master composers. An era has ended, like all eras. It had a beginning, a life and now it is over. What remains to be written is all imitation.

[@thomasromano9321]

Disagree. While Lauridsen may have borrowed, or cribbed some ideas from other composers, his music is his alone. Many composers of the past, including Bach, took a few ideas of composers before their time. Oh, and incidentaly, Robert Fertitta, who are Lauridsen's musical heroes? Durufle, Faure, French composers among others.

[@organman52]

@@thomasromano9321 That's just fine if it is also fine that he basically wrote THE SAME PIECE over and over. Haydn wrote over 80 string quartets. No two of them sound alike. Brahms wrote over 250 lieder. No two of them sound alike. And I could go on for about a year.

[@loreg.maldonado4725]

😍Abrazo Argentino ¡¡¡

[@selenamcmahan9234]

He reminds me of sondheim. RIP Sondheim 🙏

[@aaronford2184]

Why is there so much strife?! This man wrote a simply gorgeous piece and if you don't like it here's a little idea: keep it to yourself. This song will be sung for decades to come. People like Lauridsen, Whitacre, Barnum, they are the Bachs and the Hadyns of our age. Even Sondheim may be included in this category

[@jonspengler5891]

Hearing him listening to his compositions, it’s glaringly obvious how deficient todays so called music is…

[@skidvicious003]

Did Zach Galifianakis base his Between Two Ferns character on Mr. Lauridsen?!

[@douglasmccannpiano]

Wow

[@miguelastor1]

I would like to know how a contemporary composer choose to use a language apparently "less modern". I think it could be an example of postmodernism in music. More over when maestro Lauridsen comes from modern music as one can see in his "variations" for solo piano. Is there a site where we can learn about his evolution on musical language?

[@douglasmccannpiano]

Seriously most touching music ever... and i am not a theist

[@messrtwinky]

Messr. Imposters do not usually have publishers, royalties and the Los Angeles Master's Chorale singing one's pieces. Now, perhaps I should go and read why you call him a masquerader! Respect to all...including Messr. Lauridsen.

[@messrtwinky]

Hisssss.

[@neoseyes]

Listen to this one too: David Sylvian - Brilliant Trees

[@neoseyes]

search this on youtube and tell me what you think of it. David Sylvian -- Nostalgia

[@messrtwinky]

Perhaps you have responded to this inquiry already, but there are so MANY comments to review and my time is little. I, too, knew Dr. Lauridsen--flunked his theory class :-) I adore his music and believe it to be authentic by many definitions of that word. He does not equal Aaron Copland and Ives. Messr Lauridsen would be willing to agree--ask him! With respect to all...

[@hansi6119]

Lauridsen is one of the most celebrated choral composers of the last several decades, with a large catalogue of both secular and sacred work, written in a variety of tonal and atonal styles, and a respected compositional technique which is fluid and tightly woven in its intent. The commentors on this post, however, come from questionable musical backgrounds, and their criticisms seem to come more from pettiness than actual academic thought. Their haughtiness and superiority is highly misplaced.

[@neoseyes]

I agree with you that its model writing. Igor Stravinsky said that when he composed the rite of spring that there was no theory there, just his fingers and the piano. Listen to Kate Bush. Shes doing it the same way.Pure emotion and feeling leading her to that space of expression. When poets write words from that realm grammar doesn't matter anymore. Meaning leaks through even though language is incorrect .Same way with music. This is why skilled people like you dont like David Sylvian .

[@thomasromano9321]

Hmm. Jan Ulvag, I happen to be a big fan of both Kate Bush and David Sylvian. Both fine songwriters.

[@Kamil-B]

What is that piece played in the intro?

[@neoseyes]

Do you know Riuichi Sakamoto ?

[@neoseyes]

Can you write a song?

[@messrtwinky]

Chuckle! :0)

[@organman52]

I have written dozens of pieces 'in the style of.' This is called model writing. And that is exactly what every living 'composer' is doing, whether they are aware of it or not. But no one on this page will have any of that. Why? Because it is the truth.

[@neoseyes]

Did Vangelis too write the same song over and over?

[@zigzeigler]

Wow. I don't think you should keep these comments bottled up inside. I think you should really tell people what you think!

[@neoseyes]

write a song

[@organman52]

Actually, they do. The standards are simply a fraction of what they were during the common practice period. That period ended with Stravinsky, Messiaen, Durufle and a few others. Publishers, royalties, etc., are all about politics and connections. It has nothing at all to do with substance. Yes this music is 'pretty,' but it does absolutely nothing that hasn't already been done countless times over.

[@neoseyes]

I didnt say that. I said writing music is a different thing.