The Painting that Inspired Another Masterpiece

Mortin Lauridsen, the composer of the unspeakably beautiful choral work O Magnum Mysterium, writes in the WSJ of how the structure of his work was inspired by Francisco de Zurbarán’s “Still Life With Lemons, Oranges and a Rose“.

In composing music to these inspirational words about Christ’s birth and the veneration of the Virgin Mary, I sought to impart, as Zurbarán did before me, a transforming spiritual experience within what I call “a quiet song of profound inner joy.” I wanted this piece to resonate immediately and deeply into the core of the listener, to illumine through sound.

I had the privilege to sing Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium last year with my Chorus. It is not an easy piece to sing – the soprano part spans the range, and requires the breath control to hold a note at low volume without a lot of vibrato. I’d sing it again tomorrow if given the opportunity.

de Zurbaran’s painting is on view at the Frick until May 10 as part of the Masterpieces in European Painting from the Norton Simon Museum Exhibit.

If you’ve never been to the Frick, it is one of New York’s gems – an intimate, stately and beautiful museum that reminds me of a miniature version of the Tate in London in the days before it changed to compete with the Tate Modern. (If that makes any sense…) They don’t allow kids under 10 into the Frick, but the guard let me daughter sneak in a few years back becuase she had a sketch book and we were going there to draw. I still remember that day as one of our best together.
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You can listen to Lauridsen’s choral work by clicking on the links embedded above.
Thanks to fellow soprano Kathleen for the tip…