The movie of the week is an aesthetic and contemplative biographical film about the American composer Morten Lauridsen produced in 2012 by Michael Stillwater. Lauridsen is famous for his choral music that has been and is still being performed by distinguished artists in important concert houses of the world.

Shining Night shows the source of these deep pieces of original musical art to be the stillness and quietude Lauridsen has learned to cherish, in particular on Waldron Island (part of the San Juan Islands), where he composed many of his famous pieces on an old piano. His compositions are based on inspiration from poetry and Latin sacred texts referencing Gregorian chant and Renaissance musical elements.

Throughout this award-winning film, the music (performed, among others, by the San Francisco Choral Society) carries a stillness and rare presence that turns this documentary not only into a refreshing and educating biography but also a “cleansing” cinematic meditation.

Watch Shining Night on Vimeo

Related:

Morten Lauridsen’s Official Homepage

Film website

O Magnum Mysterium sung by the Westminster Cathedral Choir