Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and Dvořák’s Mass in D major

Durham Choral Society returns to Durham Cathedral for an uplifting and deeply contemplative evening of choral music, bringing together two radiant masterworks that explore faith, light and spiritual hope.
Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna has become one of the most cherished contemporary choral works of our time. Composed in 1997 while the composer’s mother was dying, it is often described as a modern companion to Faure’s Requiem. The work weaves together ancient Latin texts in a seamless meditation on light-offering consolation and solace. Lauridsen’s luminous harmonies and serene pacing create music of extraordinary stillness and beauty, perfectly suited to the cathedral’s vast resonant space.
Complementing this is Dvořák’s Mass in D Major, written with ‘faith, hope and love’ at its heart. Originally composed in 1887 for the consecration of a small chapel in Bohemia, this evocative work blends the composer’s signature folk-influenced melodies and rich 19th century harmonies. Combining gentle intimacy with moments of joyful affirmation, it reflects the composer’s deeply held faith, and love of the natural world.
Founded in 1962, Durham Choral Society is one of the North East’s leading large amateur choirs, celebrated for ambitious programming and powerful performances in Durham Cathedral.