How Multiple Composers Treat a Single Medieval Text
This Sounds of Faith video by Chapel Associate Conductor Dr. Philip Cave explores how three composers—two modern and one from the sixteenth century—have created different musical settings for the same medieval text. The text is "O nata lux de lumine," which translates as “O light from light, resplendent birth,” and the recordings here of the hymn come from three different Chapel worship services.
"Originally sung at the Feast of the Transfiguration, [the hymn] is addressed to Christ as light, as redeemer of the earth, and savior of souls," Dr. Cave explains. "The text is anonymous."
"Its beautiful imagery has attracted the attention of many composers," he says.
Watch the hymn sung in its entirety with musical settings by these three composers: