No truer words have been spoken.

Absolutely true, when put it in the hands of a great choir to interpret and shape you end up with an exquisite and profound masterpiece. I don't have a favourite, Lux Aeterna, Magnum Mysterium or Seal Lullaby, etc. are all favourites. I've sung them and listened to them, and I find it hard to hold back the tears every time, something universal happens beyond our usual existence.

This is it for me. With a good choir, live, I always cry-and I am so NOT a crier! My husband, Eric, has sung nearly 30 years with The Mapleton Chorale. It's a 120 voice community choir requiring auditions, dues, performance attire they buy themselves, tours they pay all costs for, and memorized music prior to performances. They are magnificent. They have had many directors over the years, and seem to get better with each one. This choir from tiny Mapleton, Utah, was invited to perform a tribute concert for the 9/11 families and first responders at The Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall in 2011. Sadly, they have no recordings, as they can't afford licensing fees. All their concerts are free to the public, and they have sung many Lauridsen pieces, always buying all the sheet music for each member of the choir with their dues. As one of their sopranos lay dying in her bed at home, the select group of 16 voices, including Eric, were invited to sing her to heaven. They sang a couple of hymns, and Lauridsen's, Sure On This Shining Night.

They are incredible! I saw them live a few years ago.

True, this is stunning. I'm almost in tears.

@@JIM-ot4ws High summer holds the earth, our hearts are whole.

"High summer" is what Hames Agee wrrote.@@MrDuboce

I've heard this performed dozens of times (sung it myself as well) and you are so right, the musical nuances and phrasing are what struck me. This performance knocked me off my chair. It's incredible. And yes, it's a testimony to incredibly competent, skilled conducting.

The director is the composer; he conveys his vision and expression of the poet’s words so beautifully, and the singers respond in kind. This is how I imagine it, a perfect marriage of the arts.

I meant to say Grant Gershon.

Or the summer!

A fantastic piece of music

I for my part love the full sound and presence of the piano in this recording. Thanks for this gorgeous rendition!

@@d.macrae461 I don't think the piano was too loud. I think it belongs in the foreground in this piece more often than just the interludes. I think this is especially true for the section starting at 4:25.

Interesting observation, because, to my (UK-based) ear, they sound very American, with plenty of rhotic Rs scattered throughout. Maybe they're going for something more Transatlantic haha? The sound and interpretation are fabulous, which is what matters in the end, I suppose!