Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen (2012)

A tribute to a living legend, celebrating the life and music of the artist whom musicologist Nick Strimple has called 'the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic'. ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Stillwater

Stars:

Morten Lauridsen, Dana Gioia, Paul Salamunovich

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Morten Lauridsen	...	Himself
Dana Gioia	...	Himself
Paul Salamunovich	...	Himself
Robert Geary	...	Himself
Paul Mealor	...	Himself
Alex Shapiro	...	Herself
Nicol Matt	...	Himself
Ola Gjeilo	...	Himself
Gary Malkin	...	Himself
Giselle Wyers	...	Herself
Aundrea Schindler	...	Herself
David Loyd	...	Himself
Ryan Drum	...	Himself

Storyline

A tribute to a living legend, celebrating the life and music of the artist whom musicologist Nick Strimple has called 'the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic'. National Medal of Arts recipient and most frequently performed American choral composer, Morten Lauridsen spends summers on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest. Featuring intimate interviews in California, Scotland and Waldron Island, Washington, interwoven with performances of his masterworks and commentaries by music contemporaries. Revealed through the lens of his passion for nature and music, Lauridsen expresses a presence of fierce compassion and unwavering dedication to the craft of composition. First episode in the film series, 'In Search of The Great Song'.

---

Plot Keywords:

island | nature | silence | healing | chorus | 

---

Taglines:

A man, an island, and music that moved the world...

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

---

Details

Country:

USA Switzerland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Song Without Borders

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Lauridsen: MidWinter Songs"
Composed by Morten Lauridsen
Performaed by The Singers/Minnesota Choral Artists
Conducted by Matthew Culloton
Courtesy of The Singers Recordings

User Reviews

Soulfully Inspiring

It was such a pleasure to meet both Morten and Michael at St. Patrick's, see a choir perform his music, live, followed by the viewing of Michael's film at the DC Independent Film Festival. Inspired, moved, and soulfully touched, doesn't begin to capture what the audience and all experienced at the showing.

The previous reviews captured some great perspective of what was shared and I echo their gratitude. This documentary is most definitely shared from the heart, passion, and soul, which was very evident and experienced by the audience. Absolutely worth the time to see, experience in your own relevant way, and I look forward to more of Michael's works that I know will be authentically captured. Thank you.