This poem is a translation into Latin of a lovely and simple text by poet Edward Esch.  Eric Whitacre shared the poem with me, and I was instantly struck by its simple beauty.  He wanted to set it, but in Latin, and so I set to work rendering the poem into the kinds of sounds Eric likes to set.

I would like to say that I have received emails from Latin scholars criticizing my choice of word or case.  That’s fine.  I stand by my choices, however, none of which are contrary to the rules of Latin grammar or usage.  My goal was to render the original poem into Latin as singably and as sonically beautifully as I could.  I have never been a fan of the school of thought which dictates that Latin be rigidly Ciceronian or classical.  Latin survived as a living, adaptive language for more than 1000 years AFTER the fall of classical Rome.  Liberties CAN be taken, and one CAN be creative with the rules.  Just wait until our next Latin collaboration--Eric wants something in Latin in the style of Walt Whitman and e.e. cummings.  I plan to be very free with the rules for that one!

There has been some confusion regarding the elusive poet Edward Esch.  As far as I know there is no substantive information on record about him.  Some have said that Esch died long ago, while others claim they saw him introduced and congratulated at a 2005 choral concert given by maestro Weston Noble and the Luther College choir.  Eric doesn’t remember where he got the poem.

This work is one of the few Whitacre pieces performed in church settings, especially at Christmastime (along with the haunting and perfect When David Heard).  Its image of angels singing to the newborn babe evoke that silent night in the stable.

Lux Aurumque appears on the Grammy-Nominated recording Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other Choral Works (Polyphony, Stephen Layton, cond. Hyperion Records ©2006) and on Eric Whitacre: The Complete Acapella Works (BYU Singers, Ronald Staheli,cond. Arsis Records ©2002)

LUX AURUMQUE

Latin Translation ©2001 by Charles Anthony Silvestri

(English poem by Edward Esch)

LUX,                                         Light,

CALIDA GRAVISQUE                warm and heavy

PURA VELUT AURUM                as pure gold,

ET CANUNT ANGELI                 and the angels sing softly

MOLLITER MODO NATUM.       to the newborn babe.

LUX AURUMQUE was recently made supra-famous on YouTube as the piece selected for Eric’s now über-viral Virtual Choir.

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