A film by Michael Stillwater Co-produced by Doris Laesser Stillwater
With commentaries by Robert Geary, Paul Mealor, Dana Gioia, Paul Salamunovich, Alex Shapiro, Ola Gjeilo, various
Featuring performances & soundtracks by Volti, Con Anima Chamber Choir, S.F. Choral Society, Aberdeen Choral Society, The Dale Warland Singers, Polyphony & Britten Sinfonia, The Singers/Minnesota Choral Artists .
Morten Lauridsen reaches into his listeners to brighten what is most ancient, sacred, and beautiful in the human soul, and reveals that it lives within each of us. What we hear in his music is the echo of our own longing– for wonder, for love – embraced and gently, reverently set down in a place of peace. This film does a powerful thing in opening up Lauridsen himself, so that the irresistible connection to and affection for his work becomes even more profoundly personal.” (Tamsin Smith, Social Entrepreneur & Writer)
This film celebrates the life and music of the artist whom musicologist Nick Strimple describes as ‘the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic’. Exploring the relationship of art, nature and spirituality, “Shining Night” reveals the composer through the lens of his love for silence and solitude together with his passion for music and literature, with commentaries from composers, conductors, singers and friends.