Lumine

The past two days have been insanity and imperfect perfection. Not only have I had the incredible pleasure of singing two motets in the Thomaskirche over the past two days, but I have been able to watch one best friend conduct and sing next to another for the third time in the same space. I am so lucky. I have learned so much about my craft this week. Each conductor imparts incredible wisdom on the singers: new warmups, new vocal techniques for producing specific sounds, and new euphemisms for achieving ideal vocal placement--my favorite! I am a much better singer because of what I have done this week. Tomorrow morning, Sunday, is our final service at the Thomaskirche. The Chorale members will head to Berlin to catch a morning flight, and a few of the conductors and older singers--including myself--will enjoy one more wonderful day in this musical city. Tomorrow we will also get to sing one of my all-time favorite choral pieces, Morten Laurdisen's "O Nata Lux." O nata lux de lumine, Jesu redemptor saeculi, Dignare clemens supplicum Laudes precesque sumere. Qui carne quondam contegi Dignatus es pro perditis, Nos membra confer effici Tui beati corporis. O Light born of Light, Jesus, redeemer of the world, with loving-kindness deign to receive suppliant praise and prayer. Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost, grant us to be members of thy blessed body. "O Nata Lux" is from a larger work called Lux Aeterna, which translates from Latin to "eternal light." The Thomaskirche, even in the rain, always seems to be bathed in light, in tradition, in love, in reverence, and in gratitude. Always gratitude. Listening Link: https://youtu.be/AI9P6HoiJy8