Sure On This Shining Night - Morten Lauridsen

The Singers - Minnesota Choral Artists
Morten Lauridsen, piano

[@KSfan4ever]

I thought I was doing fine, handling my son's death 15 years ago with courage and acceptance, moving forward in my life. Then I listened to this. Doubled over in tears and indescribable sorrow, then a healing. What a magnificent work of musical genius and poetic insight.

[@AA-ek4fh]

How Lauridsen put Agee's poetry to music, is nothing short of amazing. This poem was written during the Great Depression when 25% of Americans were out of work. looking for food and shelter. It is a poem of great sorrow and resignation. Hoping of acts of kindness as he walks the night alone, in the north, the harvest has come in "late summer" all is healed all is health" but the harvest is not where he is, and so he continues to walk the night alone "weeps of wonder" daydreams of better times. Lauridsen, like Samuel Barber who put this piece to music, brings the listener in and evokes a pain, and suffering today's disconnect culture fails to see, yet brings them to the point of immense passion, and tears. It forces you to cry, to empathize. This my friends... is art.

[@HeavenlyLights]

Beautifully stated. Agree.

[@timothysmith7888]

I've been searching for an explanation of Agee's poem, especially the lines, " I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone, of shadows on the stars", which, with Lauridsen's chords, evokes loss, death and grief. Weeping for wonder. . . Wandering. . . Shadows on the stars! This is the soul in pain! It doesn't get any more evocative than that. Is that what Agee was saying? It verges on the ineffable. That is what I hear in Lauridsen's music.

[@JanetESmith-er8sk]

Never have I heard a more beautiful work. Both Lauridsen and Agee. Touched by the palm of God.

[@reinhildehenson-sels5960]

I’ m from Belgium, my husband from Texas died. I read John Steinbecks book:The grapes of wrath when I discovered this heavenly Music. A heartfelt thankyou for this poem, thankyou for the melody thankyou for expressing this beautifull emoticons of love and gratitude and Sharing it with the world.

[@luanaviciani963]

This music is the refuge of the soul, it pricks the heart like a velvet arrow...

[@maj-lenaskagerlund3118]

It's a very true description. And very beautiful. Thank you 🙏

[@frjimt2286]

Sure on this shining night of star-made shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground, on this shining night, this shining night Sure on this shining night of star-made shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground, on this shining night, this shining night The late year lies down the north All is healed, all is health High summer holds the earth, hearts all whole The late year lies down the north All is healed, all is health High summer holds the earth, hearts all whole Sure on this shining night, sure on this shining, shining night Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone Of shadows on the stars Sure on this shining night, this shining night On this shining night, this shining night Sure on this shining night

[@meganhenry8345]

It is snowing a nice light fluffy snow. Looking out my window at the woods. This music is so deeply moving. I am remembering my childhood friend who passed away two years ago. So many have left us. The sadness is palpable but so is the hope of life as it continues on, even in all its messiness. This music fills my soul with hope in all things, and reminds me of what is important to me....music.

[@paulgabriner3392]

It is very difficult after listening to this to believe tha the commercial music with which we are daily bombarded really deserves the name of music!

[@ThomasJamesArt251]

I was thinking the same thing for which it is not music at all

[@SandraGarcia-yt4dn]

It doesn't and neither does most of that "praise" music.

[@jacquefarnsworth3959]

Heavenly music like this gives me hope and a sense of peace even in these times of conflict.

[@carolpeterson326]

All is healed; all is health...a hopeful, kind message for today.

[@danaviges9904]

Harmony! Harmony!! Harmony!!! Nothing better than The Male Voices Melding with Female voices SATB

[@HeavenlyLights]

Morten Lauridsen touches our 💞hearts w his splendid music. Beautifully rendered. ThankYou🙏🏻🥰

[@elderrobertv.fullersr.1739]

Listening to this definitely transforms one to that shining night. Brought tears to my eyes thanking God for His Gift to the world.

[@USGolfer]

My life will be incomplete until I sing this. It flows like life through love.

[@GetDangledGaming]

*Urgent feeling to go hug someone*

[@andrewtschramm]

+Get Dangled *hug* :)

[@moondiamondcat]

Me too :o)

[@megantaylor662]

me too

[@biabeo8540]

Can't help but feel immensely drawn to hugging the stuffing out of someone called "Get Dangled" ❤

[@yordankaacosta2849]

Aye!! I long to hug someone I call Second Chances......and stay like that for all eternity. Beautiful, beautiful and beyond..... Big hug to you too Get Dangled❤

[@juliecruise1061]

Such dignity. Such sensitivity to the abilities and limits of each part. This makes me want to dance, paint, sculpt and sing. Thank you, Morten Lauridsen.

[@jeanninemurray6539]

What a wonderful compliment to the composer. I feel it also. the harmonies and the art of the lyric make it holy ground.

[@oucutie1]

Julie Cruise Yes. A poet James Agee.

[@elizabethterlinden3078]

"Abilities and limits of each part" YES. Morten Lauridsen is truly a singer's composer. He does his best to make all of us shine :p but the love to altos is especially great.

[@aldhatjaz2119]

My favorite recording of this wondrous piece. The performance is immaculate.

[@thomasromano9321]

In memory of James Agee and his beautiful poem with Lauridsen's music. Tears welling up.

[@jandug4410]

This touches me to my very soul. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@suzm8171]

This piece always creates whole body goosebumps.....thank you Mr. Lauridsen, Matthew Culloton and The Singers for this beautiful rendition. (especially the ease in which the sopranos soar to the high notes)

[@paulbadertscher]

I've heard many versions of this beautiful song. This may be the best.

[@eliz1002]

God balm our soul when listening to this song... feel closer to HIM,,and see life totally different...thanks Morten and Agee

[@JohnProthero]

The vocal aspect of this piece alone makes it beautiful, but the accompaniment adds so much dimension to the expressiveness of the singing.

[@elizabethterlinden3078]

Whenever i learn a Morten Lauridsen piece in chorus I fall in love with it twice. Once as we learn the singer's parts alone, and again when I hear it with full accompaniment.

[@yordankaacosta2849]

That's because it's no other than Lauridsen himself playing. The expressiveness through the rubato he employs has such a good taste.

[@LCMurtha1]

For the longest time I thought Barber had the best choral setting for this Agee lyric but then I learned to appreciate Lauridsen. I still can not say if one is better than the other but I know I enjoy both immensely. This haunting and complex lyric surely must defy every attempt at translation into any other language.

[@marklastes312]

Twelve years later this invokes the most powerful emotions. As beautiful to me as the day I learned we would be performing this in high school.

[@writereducator]

Oh, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in ’t!

[@lindaridd4393]

I adore Mortens' music it is sublimely gorgeous and emotionally charged, happy Christmas and a better year for 2022, to Mr Lauridsen and everyone, thank you for the music

[@liammacgraith26]

Morten Lauridsen, the man who saved European classic music from destruction. And how beautifully he did so!

[@SempreGumby]

All from California no less...and Whitacre follows. The world is safe.

[@yordankaacosta2849]

@@SempreGumby Aye!!!!

[@garywait3231]

This IS prayer !!!

[@emiliebova]

Heavenly. A musical prayer.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

The Singers are top notch. Agee's 56 words can change one's outlook on life.

[@oucutie1]

Brian Baumgarn Thank you! Agee is the foundation of which all else was built!

[@elizabethterlinden3078]

For years I've wondered about the meaning of this poem. At this point I've decided i don't care. It's beautiful and numinous (and luminous!) and gives me chills whatever it's about.

[@yordankaacosta2849]

@@elizabethterlinden3078 It seems like it has two different moods, one at the beginning and a completely opposite one at the last two stanzas.

[@lindsaydenny4015]

What wonderful singers, my favorite recording so far! And the composer himself on the piano. :) Thank you!!

[@anamariapalavecino8743]

Amo la música de Lauridsen, es inconfundible! Hermosa versión!

[@user-ho9uu4gm2v]

I lift this piece up in prayer every night for the people of Ukraine who are going through a living hell inflicted on them by Russia.

[@mikewallace2113]

Sung it a couple of years ago and it still moves me now as it did when I first heard and sung it. So moving ..Thank you

[@philmcdonald6088]

this IS real music.

[@grazynaswitaj9897]

Amazing music ❤

[@trevortomah8508]

Wow, sweet blessed music, to lift the spirit, GOD bless, happy holidays to all, thanks for sharing the music.

[@Joejoeherrera]

I remember singing this song in choir, and it's literally the only song i ever liked singing in choir 😌

[@taylorlaura57]

How stunningly beautiful. I sing with a choir similar to this one and would love to sing this. Mr. Lauridsen, I love your music, but I think this one is going to become my favorite.

[@alexdiaz4181]

Hello Laura How are you doing today

[@jilliantavares8249]

I cry every time I hear this song. I’m crying right now in fact.

[@kimboquilon7107]

First time to listen to tis song. I too am crying. Falling in love with the music of Lauridsen. Listen to the Prayer as well.

[@wsmark3254]

Me too

[@jeanninemurray6539]

Across time and cosmic distance - Hugs.

[@oucutie1]

What a lovely piece! Lauridsen is going into my “favorites” folder.

[@BerenikiRegina]

A lovely setting of this poem. My choir has sung both this setting and the one by Barber - and I prefer this one.

[@DavidBrowningBYD]

This is perfectly beautiful. A much better setting of this text IMHO than the one with which we are more familiar. And a lovely performance.

[@richardhoover4471]

Truth & Beauty- they will never die.

[@user-ue6kb2pp6j]

Direct - from God to our ears. Other-worldly.

[@Rf7923]

Glad I am not the only one to whom this brings leaky eyes!

[@zacharylavender1568]

The piano accompaniment and choral voicings makes a lovely pairing with the text.

[@austintone]

Exquisite, gorgeous, transcendent.

[@PatrickBatty]

This is such a beautiful song. Our choir is doing it this year, and I've put this version on our home rehearsal sing-along playlist. And I agree with others.. this can be a very emotional song to sing. Thanks very much.

[@pondwhistle2789]

Sang this a week ago at the Chester Choral Week - just brilliant!

[@donpkra]

stunningly beautiful

[@ellenweber6815]

Wow! Moved me to tears.

[@alexdiaz4181]

Hello Ellen How are you doing

[@aletabraxton6934]

One of the most beautiful setting to these lyrics. Weep-worthy.

[@carolynhall1302]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@saramacgillivray1347]

What a blessing! Thank you!

[@coolojsamisc]

Stunning. Simply stunning.

[@PedroFurtado]

Obrigado por partilhar tão valioso presente. É uma benção ouvir isso.

[@Allenda100]

Stunning!!!💕💕💕wow!!

[@williamripley3192]

Best I have heard this piece sung.Beautiful!

[@zacharylavender1568]

Lovely!

[@franrussellbanks4668]

a deight and an honour to be singing thsi with my choir Dolce in Dublin Ireladn

[@alexdiaz4181]

Hello Fran Russell How are you doing today?

[@VirginiaBarber-nv9hj]

Gorgeous.

[@zacharylavender1568]

Beautiful!

[@peternieuwkamp1572]

Wat mooi... ❤

[@suebleonard7554]

Beautiful.

[@woobing0326]

아브낭뜨 사랑합니다.

[@writereducator]

If there is suffering in heaven, it is the blessed suffering music like this causes.

[@christinehetherington9256]

writereducator hey we can’t listen to Springsteen ALL the time! Well maybe we can... but won’t. I like a lot of different music.

[@oucutie1]

James Agee/Dr. Morten Lauridsen. An unbeatable team!

[@jeruzasiqueira1845]

Amei ouvir. Obrigada!

[@normsky1000]

Try to sing the tenor line with tears welling up - it's not easy and we are singing this in concert next Saturday!

[@cheaplaffsarefree]

You have it exactly. I went through the same thing when my choir did Lux Aeterna.

[@eddiesheahan5509]

Absolutely agree. I’ve been performing this piece for years with my choir and it gets me every time...’I weep for wonder, Wandering far alone, of shadows on the stars’... I still struggle to hold back tears singing that line. It’s such a simple and yet powerful piece.

[@Rf7923]

...or the bass!

[@voxluminosa-ensemblevocal2887]

A pure Gem ! Doing it next Aprile with my choir.. Can't, wait

[@robm2491]

lovely song

[@philmcdonald6088]

peace and light

[@man4allseasons1000]

Seo ceann dena na pìosaì ceoil is deise a chuala me le fada .Ard-mholadh dhuit ,Morten Lauridsen.àlainn ar fad.

[@iso2000zoe2006]

Aontaim go hiomlán leat

[@man4allseasons1000]

iso2000Èistim leis seo go riallta agus bìonn sè mar mhacalla im`cheannar feadh I bhfad.Is iontach an nòta sin ag an gcrìoch,Togh.

[@iso2000zoe2006]

man4allseasons1000 My gaeilge isn't good enough to reply but yes, it's exceptionally beautiful. Slán.

[@betsystewart9786]

Excellent

[@alexdiaz4181]

Hello Besty How are you doing

[@prophetofwellbeing]

Very beautiful.

[@seanmarshall7529]

Lauridsen is a Muse!

[@laurengray4490]

I would honestly want this to play at my funeral.....I'm sorry if I'm thinking about death right now...just really tired and depressed....))

[@95245666]

I also hope you are still here Lauren! I don't know your situation, nor am I asking for details. But I understand depression. I suffer as well. This weekend has been tough for me. But we, and I mean all humans, are stronger by staying. We are stronger from continuing our struggle, no matter how internal it may be. Another piece that may be beneficial to listen to is "Please Stay" by Jake Runestad. Very beautiful, much like the above.

[@NiCaNaMex]

Lauren Gray how are your these days? Been a while since you posted above. Happened upon it. Thought I'd see if you're ok now. Soli Deo Gloria, rachel

[@deblosey811]

Hope you stayed with us Lauren - and that your depression is a fading memory.

[@danieldekok6949]

No worries, the rest of humanity thinks about it too.

[@giovaluci]

Meraviglioso.

[@TheKonga88]

Sure on this shining night I'm a chimp from outer space, I'm gonna teach the humans a lesson they will never forget.. Beware humans, We are coming for you! 🌙🌙🌕🌕🐭🐭🐸🐸🐹🐹🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🐵🐒🐵🐒🐵🐒👽👽👽👽👽💀💀💀💀💀

[@marlou169]

💫

[@alexdiaz4181]

Hello marlou How are you doing today

[@martykrovetz6238]

Yow! Lovely.

[@lifeofabed33]

doing this song for concert choir

[@beccap.6829]

me too :)

[@lifeofabed33]

cool

[@eternal8song]

this song really gives me Tolkien vibes, you feel me?

[@writereducator]

My God, I was thinking the same thing!

[@janewasson4845]

Try Lauriden's "O Magnum Mysterium"

[@krisma12234]

I'm guessing the baritones get melody? For once!!? :D

[@ronpearson23]

We did!

[@denisglorieux913]

laisser la partie bassaeaux vraies basses

[@joshuaashbaugh867]

A few years back I was honored to meet and talk with Mr. Lauridsen. I asked him why he chose the baritone voice (mine) for the melody in this piece. He smiled, patted my shoulder, and said "Because the baritone is ever present but always supporting and I wanted the other voices to support the baritone for once. It also worked best here, which is the real reason."

[@marie-armelle458]

splendide mélodie.qui pourrait me dire l origine du texte? merci

[@MichaelFrankEllis]

The poem comes from a book by James Agee entitled "Permit Me Voyage" published 1934 by Yale University Press

[@marie-armelle458]

Michael Ellis thank you from France

[@marie-armelle458]

THANK YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY

[@astro2863]

"Sure on this shining night Of star made shadows round, Kindness must watch for me This side the ground. The late year lies down the north. All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts all whole. Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone Of shadows on the stars."

[@seansteinke6313]

lyrics?

[@Jossik46]

[@nph9973]

A Snowjob’ for shur :)

[@vivianmorris2731]

/

[@Jeff.Frye-Zelno]

Piano is too heavy. A capella with the lazy soprano vibrato controlled, this would be stunning.

[@d.macrae461]

Sorry it didn't meet your high standards. Don't think they'll be taking it down - most folks seem to like it. For you, there are other versions available.

[@hoagywab]

Sure on this shining night of star-made shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground, on this shining night, this shining nightSure on this shining night of star-made shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground, on this shining night, this shining night The late year lies down the north All is healed, all is health High summer holds the earth, hearts all whole The late year lies down the north All is healed, all is health High summer holds the earth, hearts all whole Sure on this shining night, sure on this shining, shining night Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone Of shadows on the stars Sure on this shining night, this shining night On this shining night, this shining night Sure on this shining night

[@hawea164]

Beautiful words in beautiful voice ....evokes beautiful emotion ...as a tear slides down my cheek on this shining night of song.

[@biabeo8540]

Thank You for these. Who is the author? (Did i miss it somewhere?)

[@timfitzgerald1186]

@@biabeo8540 James Agee. .. allpoetry.com/Sure-On-This-Shining-Night